Title: What They Say Isn't True
Author: rooster dawn
pairing: Harm and Mac
spoilers: Tangle Webb II and some other episodes of season nine.
Disclaimer: JAG is property of Belisarius productions, no copyright infringement intended.
Summary: Harm and Mac deal with the repercussions of Paraguay and a new woman in Harm's life.
Feed back is always appreciated, it's how we grow.
part 10
Harm was able to catch Mac for lunch before Harriet found her. They went to Beltway Burger. To Harm it wasn't the best place to eat, but they usually could find a place to sit and talk. And there was enough privacy if they needed to talk about something sensitive.
"What's up Harm? You seemed to be in a hurry to get away from headquarters. I didn't even have a chance to check in with Harriet about how Aj is doing. He isn't dealing too well with all the attention Jimmy K is getting." began Mac.
"That's what I needed to talk to you about Mac. I needed to talk to you before Harriet did." replied Harm.
"Why Harm? What's wrong?" Mac asked a little concern.
"Did something happen to one of them?"
"No, they're fine, but it seems our little excursion a couple weeks ago when I came home early to celebrate with you made the headlines in the Sunday newspaper a few weeks ago.
Harriet saw us dancing in a photo on the front page of the society pages. The article goes on to say we got engaged after I got awarded Mattie on Christmas eve." explained Harm.
"And you know how Harriet is like a hound dog with a bone when she wants information. She's going to want to tell everybody that we're engage." sighed Harm.
"Sometimes I wonder about her Harm. She has everything a woman could want, but it's never seems to be enough. Why is it she can't leave us alone to enjoy our relationship and happiness in the manner that we want?" moaned Mac.
"It must be that high society up bringing she endured growing up I guess. She has to know everything about everybody. I just don't understand why she can't just be happy for us and let us decide when we want the world to know." replied Harm shaking his head.
"Do we still have the newspaper at home?" asked Mac.
"I believe so. I haven't put it out to be recycled yet. I guess we can look at it tonight when we get home." answered Harm.
"Then I guess all I have to do is avoid Harriet for the rest of the day or tell her I'm too busy to talk with her today." grinned Mac.
"Do you have any ideas what you're going to tell her?" asked Harm.
Harm knew Harriet wouldn't bother him. He had long ago told her he didn't want to hear any of the office gossip, particularly if it involved him or Mac.
"I'm not sure what I will say until I read the story and see the photos, but I'm sure by the time I'm finish with her, she won't know which end is up. It shouldn't be too hard.
The rumor mill sponsored by the Sims foundation has said I've been dating Webb for over six months. You and I hadn't been getting along." smile Mac as she felt confident.
"The evidence is pretty damaging Marine. The photos are clearly of you and me dancing the night away. You also have on your engagement ring. They've also written our biography in their article. You have your work cut out for you Marine." smiled Harm. He knew this was going to be good.
"Don't worry Harm. I've told you many times the Marines always get the job done. The more impossible the mission, the greater the rewards when it has been accomplished. I think you've made my day sailor." smiled Mac.
That night after dinner Mac sat down with the newspaper. She studied the photos and read the article frontward and backwards until she thought she had everything she needed to come up with a sure fire plan to discredit everything Harriet thought was true.
0800 hours
20 Jan 2004
Mac's office
The next morning Mac was busy with paperwork when Harriet knocked on her door. She's early thought Mac. I would have like to have another cup of coffee before I have to deal with her.
"Come in Harriet. What do you need?" asked Mac.
"Do you have a few minutes Ma'am? I'd like to talk to you for a few minutes." replied Harriet.
She was a little anxious. She was so happy for the Colonel, but she had wondered why the Colonel hadn't told her that she was engaged to the Commander.
"Please sit down Harriet. What's wrong? Are little Aj and Jimmy K okay?" asked Mac feigning curiosity.
"What? Oh no Ma'am. They are both doing fine. I wanted to talk to you about your engagement ring." smiled Harriet nervously.
Even though she considered the Colonel a close friend she didn't know if it was proper to inquire about a senior officer private life. But she had to know. She was so happy that the Colonel and the Commander were finally together.
"What about it Harriet? I told you last week that I got engaged over the holidays. That we wanted to keep it a secret for awhile, Need to know." replied Mac.
"Can I show you something?" asked Harriet as she pulled out her newspaper that had the Colonel and Commander's engagement story.
"What is it Harriet?" asked Mac feigning interest.
Harriet handed the newspaper to Mac. Mac quickly scanned over the article.
"What do you want to know Harriet?" asked Mac.
"I thought we were friends Colonel. Why didn't you tell me that the Commander and you were engaged?" wailed Harriet.
"Are we friends Harriet? If we are friends how come you never call me by my name when we're off duty? It's always Ma'am or Colonel." replied Mac challenging Harriet to come up with something better.
"I don't know Ma'am." whined Harriet.
This wasn't why she came in to talk with the Colonel. She wanted to know about her engagement. How did the Commander propose? Where were they when he proposed? Why didn't she say anything to her? Why didn't the Colonel come to her?
"Harriet, I'm not engaged to Harm. That's why I didn't tell you." explained Mac.
"But Ma'am the photos, the article." whined Harriet.
"What about them Harriet?" asked Mac nonchalantly.
"You're dancing with the Commander. You're wearing an engagement ring. The article, it goes into such detail about you and the Commander." whined Harriet.
"Harriet, you of all people know that Harm and I have not been getting along since I came back from Paraguay. We had a big fight when we were down there. Harm hasn't forgiven me for what I said.
He still thinks I didn't thank him for rescuing me. He said some things to me that hurt me really bad. He still doesn't understand why they do because he thinks the truth shouldn't hurt." began Mac with her explanation.
"You also know or believe that I've been seeing Clayton Webb. He loves me Harriet. Harm wasn't there for me after we got back. I needed someone to help me through hearing Clayton's screams of pain for hours and days on end. Harm wasn't there.
I tried calling him. I left messages asking him to call me because I needed him, but he didn't call, he wasn't there. I turned to Clay for company, going out one or two nights a week when he was around.
You don't understand how lonely life can get Harriet. You have Bud and the boys. Your life is full. My life has revolved around Harm for so many years now because anyone I ever dated couldn't deal with my relationship with him.
They can't understand that I might have friends that aren't female. Clayton doesn't mind that Harm is my friend and that I work with him a lot. He knows that Harm will do anything to protect me.
He's not worried or jealous of Harm. He's allowed me to be me without giving up my friendship with Harm. I can't tell you how good that makes me feel." lied Mac.
"I don't understand Ma'am. The photos are of you and the Commander dancing." inquired a confused Harriet.
"They are probably from the time I was engaged to Mic. We went to several social functions that Harm attended also with Renee.
A photographer probably caught us dancing together since we make a great looking couple. Harm being so tall and in his dress mess." conned Mac.
"And I don't even have a red evening gown any more. It reminded me too much of Mic. When he left, so did the gown."
Now Harriet was getting totally confused. Everything that the Colonel was telling her made sense. The Colonel and the Commander did have that really big fight at headquarters right before Thanksgiving.
Bud had told her they had been sniping at each other whenever they were in court together. She never went out to lunch with the Commander anymore.
And most of the bios in the article were common knowledge. It was part of Jag's press release. It was easy to come by. But how did they know about Mattie?
"But how did they know about Mattie?" asked Harriet thinking that maybe she had something.
"I don't know Harriet. I only found out about her the day before the hearing and that was only because Harm wanted me to vouch for him. Instead we had another fight and he left. I guess maybe their court reporter got in touch with their social reporter.
I did vouch in court that Harm would make a great father. I may have let out he was the type of person I would want to be the father of my children. Maybe they added one plus three plus two and came up with instant family." sighed Mac.
"I don't understand Ma'am." whined Harriet.
"Harriet, you have to admit that Harm and I have been seen together in the newspapers together many times in the past after big cases or after Harm had the dirty nuke chasing his six. I'm sure some writer or photographer has been keeping track of us over the years.
When he saw me in the courtroom saying what he thought was 'I want Harm to be the father of my children' he put together a photo essay about us. He was trying to sell newspapers Harriet.
In this day and age when our country is at war in Iraq, with soldiers dying every day, he probably wanted to write something uplifting to increase morale of those who have love ones in the military.
It's all a fabrication Harriet. There's not a grain of truth in the story Harriet. I'm trying very hard to reestablish my friendship with Harm. Helping him get Mattie as his ward was only a first step on the long road of friendship.
I can only hope to have him as a friend again some day. Okay Harriet? Do you understand now?" finished Mac.
"I think so Ma'am. I'm sorry I doubted you. I have wished for so long that you and the Commander would get together one day. I'm sorry Ma'am." wailed Harriet.
"I'm sorry too Harriet. There was a time I thought it was possible, but I don't think he loves me enough to be with me forever. I don't know if he will ever be ready for anyone. I've moved on. I'm happy." replied Mac.
"Thank you Ma'am for squaring me away. With your permission I'll get back to my duties before the Admiral ships me the Aleutians. Good day Ma'am." sighed Harriet as she got up and left.