Disclaimer: not mine, don't sue me.
*** Author's note: hi everybody! This story is set to take place about two weeks after season 7 ended. You will have to pay very close attention to the first three chapters in order to fully understand the story, because the plot is fairly complex, but the story will get a lot more interesting and action-packed around chapter four, I promise. Have fun! ***
~ Mac's POV~
Yesterday, life was safe. I went home after a non-eventful day at work, played with Jingo, ordered take out from that little Japanese place around the block.
I went over some case files from a few smaller cases I've been handling at JAG, nothing very stimulating. A purely text book sexual harassment case, one disorderly conduct hearing, and two separate cases of negligence on duty. I'd been worried about Harm since Bud's injury a few weeks ago. Harriet had left the office to take care of him, and life was difficult not having her around. Harm tried to play the optimistic, supportive best friend, but he seemed pretty worn out. I was concerned that Bud's injury had hit him harder than he let on, and we hadn't talked in a few days. So I decided to call him.
" Hey Mac." he said, answering directly after the first ring as usual.
" How did you know it was me?" I smiled, I was always glad to hear his voice.
" I don't know, I think that the ring sounds a little different when you call than it does with anybody else." He said. His voice was light, and cheerful, not quite as conflicted as usual.
" hmmm...." I said, " anyways, I was just wondering how you were doing, it's been a couple of days since we've talked..."
" yeah, I know."
" How did your investigation go this weekend?" I asked.
" boring. I talked to Bud this morning, he seems to be getting a little more optimistic."
" Good, that's really great." I said, and paused for a moment before adding, " but how have you been?"
He hesitated, probably trying to think of something irritatingly vague to say, but then he sighed lightly, " I don't know Mac, it's just everything is so much different now, with Bud and Harriet, and work, and Renee being gone. everything is just so hectic yet... dull. And this apartment just seems a little more lonely everyday."
" I know what you mean." I replied.
" You always do don't you? you always know what I mean." he said, in a distant tone. "It's been a while since we've talked."
" well, you've been busy, I've been busy. Things will get better soon enough you'll see." I assured him, doing my best to play the optimistic, supportive best friend for once. He'd been doing enough of that lately.
" I know, thanks."
" what are you thanking me for? anyways, it's getting late, you should get some sleep." I said.
" ok, night Mac." he said. " Hey wait, are you thinking about settling the Whitman case?"
" Goodnight sailor." I said, ignoring his last comment as I hung up the phone. I discovered that I was smiling for no apparent reason. I tried to stop, but it seemed that the muscles in my mouth were dead set on curving upward. Talking to Harm sometimes had that affect on me.
Afterward, I called Harriet and tried to cheer her up a little. We didn't talk long, she said she needed to put little A.J to bed. She sounded better than she had a few weeks ago. I tried to remember when it was, the last time I had heard her laugh. I'd forgotten, but I knew it had been a while.
Later, I took a Bubble Bath while listening to an old Billie Holiday album.
That night before I went to sleep, I reflected on how completely boring my life was beginning to seem. That was my mistake.
I pulled into work at 7:54 the next morning. I could tell that something was up when I spotted the familiar silver Mercedes placed in my parking spot. I pulled in next to it, and laughed softly. Clayton Webb seemed to be putting less and less effort into being inconspicuous.
As I made my way to my office, I noticed an unusually early Harmon Rabb coming towards me. I stopped and greeted him. Sensing that he was not in the best of moods, I put forward the most cheerful smile that I could muster. He seemed exceedingly tense. " Hey Harm, I'm settling the Whitman case, Harriet says hi." I studied him further, he looked a little pale, still very sexy, of course, but pale. "Is everything okay?" I questioned.
He answered softly, " I'm not sure. The Admiral wants to see us. Webb is here."
At this point I was concerned, not because of Webb, but because of Harm's strange behavior. I glanced up at him curiously, but he had already turned away from me. I followed him into Admiral Chedwiggen's office, which for some reason, seemed slightly darker today than usual.
" At ease colonel." A.J. addressed me formally. I was not surprised to see Webb standing ominously before me, but I was surprised to see him looking so on edge and strung out. His unkempt appearance caught me off gaurd, his always present, dark colored three-piece suit was loosened and wrinkled. it looked as if he hadn't slept in days.
" Hello Admiral, Webb. " I said, greeting them with a slight amount uncertaintly. "May I ask what's going on here?"
A.J. and Webb shared an uneasy glance which made me even more nervous. AJ spoke up first, " why don't you fill her in Webb? After all, this is your mission." his voice was harsh and somewhat angry.
Webb took a deep breath, " Mac, we have recently obtained a lot of information about some activity happening among terrorists in Iran. It's involving the black market." he announced.
I nodded at him in comprehension, and kept my features devoid of any emotion as a faint, yet deep fear rose to my chest. I knew too well where this conversation was going.
He continued, " American drug and arms dealers are some how getting into Iran and being harbored by a small, wealthy ring of Al-Qaeda terrorists. The dealers are supplying these terrorists with stolen weaponry, in exchange for drugs, money, and... other things. The area where these actions are taking place has been located to an underground facility in Mashhad, a city a few miles south of the capital. You are familiar with this area are you not?" he questioned, his expression noticeably stonier than usual.
" I am." I answered flatly. A.J and Harm listened silently, they stood side by side, arms folded in front of them, glancing between me and Clay anxiously.
" Here's the thing Mac," Webb proceeded, " we don't have that much information on this place, Matthew Reed, the last undercover agent that we had within the operation, was killed three days ago."
My eyes locked with his as he admitted this last statement, and I could tell from the anxiety and sadness that dwelled in his eyes that he had personally known the man who was killed.
" I'm sorry." I said it quietly, but I knew that he could hear me. He pretended as if he hadn't.
"Mac, most of the terrorists in the facility speak farsi. I was placed under cover there, along with the agent who was killed. we set up a lot of very high tech surveillance equiptment around the facility, but without an insider, someone who can interact with the terrorists to determine what thier exact motive is, there's not a lot that we can do to stop them." He spoke articulately and with a lot of passion. I could tell that bringing these people down was severely important to him.
I nodded slowly, unsure of what to say. " So that's where I come in."
He hesitated, and took a deep breath. " You know I don't want to send you in there, but let's face it, there aren't very many people out there who can speak farsi, are familiar with the territory, and are adept in combative as well as intelligence skills. You don't have to do this Mac, but I know you're the only one we've got that could pull this off." again, our eyes met, and his gaze held a pleading expression so intense that it sent a chill down my spine.
I closed my eyes and sighed. " all right Clay I'll do it, but you're really going to owe me on this one." I said. When I opened my eyes I caught an exhausted yet pleased grin from Webb, his eyes filled with gratitude. He began to say something but was interrupted by the Admiral.
" Now Mac, before you formally agree to anything, you need to be fully aware of all of the risks. This operation will be very dangerous, being as we have little information other than what was obtained by Webb, and this operative, who was killed two days ago." said AJ, his voice calm, yet full of agitation and concern at the same time.
I began to respond, but I was cut off by Harm, "and Mac, Webb hasn't even fully informed you of your cover yet. You'll have to pose as a terrorist, and live among these people for at least..."
" It's the only way Rabb..." Webb began to argue.
The admiral rubbed his eyelids in exhaustion as Harm and Webb continued arguing over the credibility of the investigation.
" why are you even arguing, I said I would do it and I will!" I stated firmly.
" thank you Mac." said Webb as he scowled at Harm in agitation. " besides, I have a full description of your cover right here, you can study it, and let me know if we need to make any changes." he said, he handed me a folder that contained a few papers describing my cover, a passport, and a false identification card with my picture on it. I studied the ID closer, " Jane Anderson." I said out loud, testing it out. " You couldn't come up with something a little more... original?" I asked.
He shrugged, " Mine's 'Joe Black'."
Harm smiled and shook his head, I tried not to laugh.
" Mac, I'm having all of your cases divided among Commander Turner and Lt. Singer. From what I hear the three of you have less than three days to prepare for this mission, I suggest you begin as soon as possible." A.J. announced resolutely.
" The 'three' of us sir?" I questioned.
Harm explained " I asked to be placed in command the surveillance team for the operation, in case you chose to go along with this whole thing." He grinned at me playfully, glancing at me as if to say, ' I knew you were gonna do it.'
I smiled at him thankfully. I didn't want to admit it, but I would feel much safer, knowing he was there.
*** Author's note: hi everybody! This story is set to take place about two weeks after season 7 ended. You will have to pay very close attention to the first three chapters in order to fully understand the story, because the plot is fairly complex, but the story will get a lot more interesting and action-packed around chapter four, I promise. Have fun! ***
~ Mac's POV~
Yesterday, life was safe. I went home after a non-eventful day at work, played with Jingo, ordered take out from that little Japanese place around the block.
I went over some case files from a few smaller cases I've been handling at JAG, nothing very stimulating. A purely text book sexual harassment case, one disorderly conduct hearing, and two separate cases of negligence on duty. I'd been worried about Harm since Bud's injury a few weeks ago. Harriet had left the office to take care of him, and life was difficult not having her around. Harm tried to play the optimistic, supportive best friend, but he seemed pretty worn out. I was concerned that Bud's injury had hit him harder than he let on, and we hadn't talked in a few days. So I decided to call him.
" Hey Mac." he said, answering directly after the first ring as usual.
" How did you know it was me?" I smiled, I was always glad to hear his voice.
" I don't know, I think that the ring sounds a little different when you call than it does with anybody else." He said. His voice was light, and cheerful, not quite as conflicted as usual.
" hmmm...." I said, " anyways, I was just wondering how you were doing, it's been a couple of days since we've talked..."
" yeah, I know."
" How did your investigation go this weekend?" I asked.
" boring. I talked to Bud this morning, he seems to be getting a little more optimistic."
" Good, that's really great." I said, and paused for a moment before adding, " but how have you been?"
He hesitated, probably trying to think of something irritatingly vague to say, but then he sighed lightly, " I don't know Mac, it's just everything is so much different now, with Bud and Harriet, and work, and Renee being gone. everything is just so hectic yet... dull. And this apartment just seems a little more lonely everyday."
" I know what you mean." I replied.
" You always do don't you? you always know what I mean." he said, in a distant tone. "It's been a while since we've talked."
" well, you've been busy, I've been busy. Things will get better soon enough you'll see." I assured him, doing my best to play the optimistic, supportive best friend for once. He'd been doing enough of that lately.
" I know, thanks."
" what are you thanking me for? anyways, it's getting late, you should get some sleep." I said.
" ok, night Mac." he said. " Hey wait, are you thinking about settling the Whitman case?"
" Goodnight sailor." I said, ignoring his last comment as I hung up the phone. I discovered that I was smiling for no apparent reason. I tried to stop, but it seemed that the muscles in my mouth were dead set on curving upward. Talking to Harm sometimes had that affect on me.
Afterward, I called Harriet and tried to cheer her up a little. We didn't talk long, she said she needed to put little A.J to bed. She sounded better than she had a few weeks ago. I tried to remember when it was, the last time I had heard her laugh. I'd forgotten, but I knew it had been a while.
Later, I took a Bubble Bath while listening to an old Billie Holiday album.
That night before I went to sleep, I reflected on how completely boring my life was beginning to seem. That was my mistake.
I pulled into work at 7:54 the next morning. I could tell that something was up when I spotted the familiar silver Mercedes placed in my parking spot. I pulled in next to it, and laughed softly. Clayton Webb seemed to be putting less and less effort into being inconspicuous.
As I made my way to my office, I noticed an unusually early Harmon Rabb coming towards me. I stopped and greeted him. Sensing that he was not in the best of moods, I put forward the most cheerful smile that I could muster. He seemed exceedingly tense. " Hey Harm, I'm settling the Whitman case, Harriet says hi." I studied him further, he looked a little pale, still very sexy, of course, but pale. "Is everything okay?" I questioned.
He answered softly, " I'm not sure. The Admiral wants to see us. Webb is here."
At this point I was concerned, not because of Webb, but because of Harm's strange behavior. I glanced up at him curiously, but he had already turned away from me. I followed him into Admiral Chedwiggen's office, which for some reason, seemed slightly darker today than usual.
" At ease colonel." A.J. addressed me formally. I was not surprised to see Webb standing ominously before me, but I was surprised to see him looking so on edge and strung out. His unkempt appearance caught me off gaurd, his always present, dark colored three-piece suit was loosened and wrinkled. it looked as if he hadn't slept in days.
" Hello Admiral, Webb. " I said, greeting them with a slight amount uncertaintly. "May I ask what's going on here?"
A.J. and Webb shared an uneasy glance which made me even more nervous. AJ spoke up first, " why don't you fill her in Webb? After all, this is your mission." his voice was harsh and somewhat angry.
Webb took a deep breath, " Mac, we have recently obtained a lot of information about some activity happening among terrorists in Iran. It's involving the black market." he announced.
I nodded at him in comprehension, and kept my features devoid of any emotion as a faint, yet deep fear rose to my chest. I knew too well where this conversation was going.
He continued, " American drug and arms dealers are some how getting into Iran and being harbored by a small, wealthy ring of Al-Qaeda terrorists. The dealers are supplying these terrorists with stolen weaponry, in exchange for drugs, money, and... other things. The area where these actions are taking place has been located to an underground facility in Mashhad, a city a few miles south of the capital. You are familiar with this area are you not?" he questioned, his expression noticeably stonier than usual.
" I am." I answered flatly. A.J and Harm listened silently, they stood side by side, arms folded in front of them, glancing between me and Clay anxiously.
" Here's the thing Mac," Webb proceeded, " we don't have that much information on this place, Matthew Reed, the last undercover agent that we had within the operation, was killed three days ago."
My eyes locked with his as he admitted this last statement, and I could tell from the anxiety and sadness that dwelled in his eyes that he had personally known the man who was killed.
" I'm sorry." I said it quietly, but I knew that he could hear me. He pretended as if he hadn't.
"Mac, most of the terrorists in the facility speak farsi. I was placed under cover there, along with the agent who was killed. we set up a lot of very high tech surveillance equiptment around the facility, but without an insider, someone who can interact with the terrorists to determine what thier exact motive is, there's not a lot that we can do to stop them." He spoke articulately and with a lot of passion. I could tell that bringing these people down was severely important to him.
I nodded slowly, unsure of what to say. " So that's where I come in."
He hesitated, and took a deep breath. " You know I don't want to send you in there, but let's face it, there aren't very many people out there who can speak farsi, are familiar with the territory, and are adept in combative as well as intelligence skills. You don't have to do this Mac, but I know you're the only one we've got that could pull this off." again, our eyes met, and his gaze held a pleading expression so intense that it sent a chill down my spine.
I closed my eyes and sighed. " all right Clay I'll do it, but you're really going to owe me on this one." I said. When I opened my eyes I caught an exhausted yet pleased grin from Webb, his eyes filled with gratitude. He began to say something but was interrupted by the Admiral.
" Now Mac, before you formally agree to anything, you need to be fully aware of all of the risks. This operation will be very dangerous, being as we have little information other than what was obtained by Webb, and this operative, who was killed two days ago." said AJ, his voice calm, yet full of agitation and concern at the same time.
I began to respond, but I was cut off by Harm, "and Mac, Webb hasn't even fully informed you of your cover yet. You'll have to pose as a terrorist, and live among these people for at least..."
" It's the only way Rabb..." Webb began to argue.
The admiral rubbed his eyelids in exhaustion as Harm and Webb continued arguing over the credibility of the investigation.
" why are you even arguing, I said I would do it and I will!" I stated firmly.
" thank you Mac." said Webb as he scowled at Harm in agitation. " besides, I have a full description of your cover right here, you can study it, and let me know if we need to make any changes." he said, he handed me a folder that contained a few papers describing my cover, a passport, and a false identification card with my picture on it. I studied the ID closer, " Jane Anderson." I said out loud, testing it out. " You couldn't come up with something a little more... original?" I asked.
He shrugged, " Mine's 'Joe Black'."
Harm smiled and shook his head, I tried not to laugh.
" Mac, I'm having all of your cases divided among Commander Turner and Lt. Singer. From what I hear the three of you have less than three days to prepare for this mission, I suggest you begin as soon as possible." A.J. announced resolutely.
" The 'three' of us sir?" I questioned.
Harm explained " I asked to be placed in command the surveillance team for the operation, in case you chose to go along with this whole thing." He grinned at me playfully, glancing at me as if to say, ' I knew you were gonna do it.'
I smiled at him thankfully. I didn't want to admit it, but I would feel much safer, knowing he was there.