Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (I forgot to include a disclaimer for NCIS last chapter, so here it is now...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, piineapplehead and rosa for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
anna7 Thanks for your support, and your advice! ;o)
ninjaturtle Drum Roll!!! Yup, it's Dunstan again! Well, he's slinking around looking for a story, so he might as well create some conflict while he's at it!
jbird7986 Hi. Welcome to my story, glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for the support.
nikki With 'you-know-who' no longer linked with Mac (at least in my world; I know he's died on the show - or has he?) I need another vilain, and it's nice to hand that opportunity to Dunstan for a while.
abigaile Yup, Dunstan's ears were tuned in to their conversation. What happens next? Read on!
pineapplehead I don't recall having written about Mac having drunk anything alcoholic, and on the occasions that it is presumed she has anything other than 'marine strength coffee' it is only her usual tonic or ginger ale! Thanks for the FYI, and your support, and I hope you continue to read and review!
jtbwriter Hiya! The garage is a challenge at the moment (I am trying to convince it that it used to be a garage and can be again! It has spent too long being a storage unit!) As for the story, I need Dunstan to shake things up a bit, just to keep the gang on their toes. I hope I don't overdo it! Thanks as always!
rosa Glad you are enjoying the story. I sent an email FYI; hope it helps.
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SOUQ AREA
MANAMA
FRIDAY EVENING
As Dunstan got to his feet so did Harm and Sturgis, heading off the reporter before he could reach their table. Mac and Varese watched as they marched Dunstan outside the rear of the restaurant, making it look as though they were greeting an old friend, when in fact they had him in a tight hold and Dunstan had no choice but to go with them or risk serious injury!
The owner of the restaurant, the irrepressible Seamus, came across to Mac and Varese as he also watched the two men march the third out between them.
"Is there a problem, ladies?" he asked, a little unsure as to whether he needed to call in reinforcements.
"None at all, thank you," Mac answered, smiling up at the benevolent face of her host.
"Can I ask what's going on?"
"Of course! If you'd care to sit down with us, we'll fill you in..." Mac offered generously, and Varese wondered where her companion was going with her 'sugar and spice' attitude.
Seamus took a seat, looking for all the world as though Mac and Varese were long lost friends of his, and he was spending time with them. He pasted a grin on his face, but neither woman was fooled. Both knew that if they weren't careful, this little fracas could escalate into something else entirely!
"Seamus, isn't it? Hi, I'm Mac and this is my friend, Varese. Our two companions are Harm and Sturgis, and the gentleman they've just gone to have a word with is called Stuart Dunstan."
"The ZNN reporter?" Seamus looked bemused. He had heard of the man, having stayed in Bahrain during both the first and the second Gulf wars, and his restaurant had been patronized by both media and military on a regular basis from the earlier conflict, right up to the present.
"Yes. Do you know him?" Mac asked conversationally, and Seamus shook his head.
"Not personally. Only by reputation. This is the first time he's been in here. He actually came in after you. Would it be possible that he's following you?"
"We're not sure, but I'm inclined to think so, and I'm sure Harm and Sturgis will be finding out exactly why he's here. It could, of course, be a coincidence, but we've crossed paths with Dunstan before, the last occasion being quite recent, so that possibility seems unlikely."
"Yes, I see what you mean. So, ladies, if you'll excuse me a moment, I'll go check on your friends, and I'll be back shortly. If you would care to order another drink, on the house, just ask one of the waiters."
"Thank you," said Mac. "We'll do that." As Seamus stood up and moved away from the table Harm and Sturgis were making their way back. Mac got to her feet and introduced Seamus to the two of them, explaining the possibility that Dunstan was following them. To Mac's surprise, Harm shook his head.
"It appears to be a complete coincidence that he's here. He was just coming over to say 'hello'." At this point Mac rolled her eyes in disbelief, and Harm grinned, nodding at her expression. "He's going to finish his meal, and go back to his hotel, just as he planned to, without disturbing our evening."
"Did you hurt Mr Dunstan at all?" asked Seamus, who was unable to hide his smile at the thought of the puny news reporter going up against Harm's 6'4" frame.
"Not a mark on him," stated Sturgis, retaking his seat next to Varese, and Harm lowered himself into his seat also, even waving as Dunstan returned to his own table with just a brief glance in their direction.
"Very well, I'll leave you to your meal, and hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. If I'm busy outside when you come to leave, please let me know. I like to say 'good night' to all my guests."
"Will do," acknowledged Harm, watching as Seamus wandered off through the restaurant.
"So! What happened?" asked Mac as soon as Seamus was out of earshot. Varese was interested in the reply to this question also, and she tipped her head at Sturgis, waiting for his version of the preceding events. Harm smiled at Sturgis and then looked at both women.
"Dunstan appears to be in trouble with his bosses. Since he got taken for a ride by his assistant, said bosses have been riding him, telling him to keep his nose clean, and giving him the less exclusive assignments. He's too good to be doing local and national reporting, they know that, but they want to keep him out of sight for a while too. Where better than to be in plain sight? Unfortunately, the rest of the media know he's had his knuckles rapped, and they're giving him a rough time."
"Why doesn't he quit?" asked Varese.
"He says he's thought about it, but where would he go? Most major stations won't touch him until the incident with his assistant goes away, which with there being deaths involved, won't be for a long time. The stations that do want him are, quite honestly, beneath him - even I will admit that! He's a good reporter, he just doesn't know where to draw the line sometimes between what's valid news and what's plain hype."
"Did he hear what we were talking about?" asked Mac, resting a hand on her abdomen, hidden from Dunstan's view by Harm's body. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, as Dunstan was looking nowhere but down at his food while he ate. Harm nodded.
"Apparently, yes. The first thing he said was that he was coming over to offer his congratulations. The next thing he said was 'what about fraternization?'. That's when he tripped over the step on his way out of the door back there." Harm indicated the door to the outside terrace with a shrug of his shoulder.
"Of course, we had to help him to his feet again," Sturgis went on to explain, "but unfortunately, he hit his head on the swing door as we turned him around to come back inside."
"You told Seamus he didn't have a mark on him!" Varese squeaked.
Harm and Sturgis looked the epitome of innocence.
"When we asked him if he was okay, he said 'yes'. We couldn't very well pin him down and check out his bruises if he didn't want us to. So we told Seamus the truth. What we could see of his body was unmarked."
"Dunstan isn't going to leave this alone, Harm. He'll sue!"
"Well, if he decides to do that, there are three senior lawyers at this table, and a credible witness." Harm winked at Mac, and she backed off, her attention distracted as Dunstan got to his feet and left his table, acknowledging them with a brief nod of his head.
"Okay, let's finish enjoying our meal, shall we?" Harm asked, but Mac worried at her bottom lip with her teeth, and Harm put his hand on hers.
"It's okay, Mac. Honestly, Sturgis and I didn't touch him physically. He's up to something, and we don't know what yet, but what I said about his job is what he told us. Sturgis suggested we play nice, and we did. We'll keep an eye on him from a distance, and if we think he's going to say something we don't like, we'll talk to him again. Failing that, we'll talk to ZNN."
"Okay," Mac accepted Harm's explanation, but while the thought of what Dunstan could be up to ran in the back of her mind, she outwardly continued to enjoy the evening, and was pleased to see that Seamus was genuinely wishing them well when they came to leave the restaurant, and his plea that they come back to see him again some time soon was acknowledged.
"I hope your friend Dunstan is a little happier the next time he dines with us," murmured Seamus, watching Harm's expression a little too closely, but if Harm was fazed he didn't show it.
"I'm sure he will be," acknowledged Harm, as he and Sturgis escorted Mac and Varese off the premises and into the waiting hotel limousine.
BAHRAIN SHERATON HOTEL
MANAMA
FRIDAY EVENING
As the four of them entered the lobby of the hotel, Harm heard his name being called out. Complete with rank, Lieutenant Jorgensen stood and addressed him.
"Captain Rabb, sir. I have orders signed by Captain Johnson, sir."
"What orders?" Harm asked, taking the envelope that Jorgensen held out, but without opening it.
"Sir, there's been an attack on a supply ship. We're being scrambled to provide air cover."
"When do we leave?"
"Immediately, sir. Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie, you are to return to the Sea Hawk via the COD in the morning, ma'am."
Mac nodded absently, seeing the look of sudden horror on Harm's face. Without asking him, she knew. Mattie.
"I'm not leaving without seeing her," Harm told Mac, aware that Jorgensen was looking at her watch.
"You have your orders, Harm!"
"No." It was simple, and irrefutable. Harm was determined to stay until Mattie returned to the hotel.
"Then give her a call. Ask the Purcell's to bring her back early."
"It's almost ten thirty now. By the time I've changed upstairs and got my gear together she'll be back. I'm not leaving, Mac."
"I know. But you're this close," Mac brought the tips of her thumb and forefinger on her right hand to within a millimeter of each other as she spoke, adding "to disobeying a direct order."
"Yeah, but I've got a hell of a defense attorney!" Harm broke into his famed grin, and Mac couldn't help it - her laughter drew attention from Sturgis, Varese and Jorgensen, and a few others in the hotel lobby.
"Okay. Let's get upstairs and start getting you ready. Jorgensen, come with us. It's quieter than having you standing around down here. We are supposed to be keeping a low profile these days." Mac took charge of the immediate situation, and Harm turned to Sturgis.
"Will you and Varese stay down here and wait for Mattie, please? As soon as she comes in, bring her up?" Harm asked the pair of them.
"Absolutely, buddy. Go, get changed. We'll be up asap." Sturgis put his hand on Harm's shoulder and looked straight at him. They had been friends a very long time, and when Sturgis said simply 'I'll take care of them,' Harm knew exactly what he meant, and that he meant every word.
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To be continued
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV - and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you. (I forgot to include a disclaimer for NCIS last chapter, so here it is now...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, piineapplehead and rosa for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
anna7 Thanks for your support, and your advice! ;o)
ninjaturtle Drum Roll!!! Yup, it's Dunstan again! Well, he's slinking around looking for a story, so he might as well create some conflict while he's at it!
jbird7986 Hi. Welcome to my story, glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for the support.
nikki With 'you-know-who' no longer linked with Mac (at least in my world; I know he's died on the show - or has he?) I need another vilain, and it's nice to hand that opportunity to Dunstan for a while.
abigaile Yup, Dunstan's ears were tuned in to their conversation. What happens next? Read on!
pineapplehead I don't recall having written about Mac having drunk anything alcoholic, and on the occasions that it is presumed she has anything other than 'marine strength coffee' it is only her usual tonic or ginger ale! Thanks for the FYI, and your support, and I hope you continue to read and review!
jtbwriter Hiya! The garage is a challenge at the moment (I am trying to convince it that it used to be a garage and can be again! It has spent too long being a storage unit!) As for the story, I need Dunstan to shake things up a bit, just to keep the gang on their toes. I hope I don't overdo it! Thanks as always!
rosa Glad you are enjoying the story. I sent an email FYI; hope it helps.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUQ AREA
MANAMA
FRIDAY EVENING
As Dunstan got to his feet so did Harm and Sturgis, heading off the reporter before he could reach their table. Mac and Varese watched as they marched Dunstan outside the rear of the restaurant, making it look as though they were greeting an old friend, when in fact they had him in a tight hold and Dunstan had no choice but to go with them or risk serious injury!
The owner of the restaurant, the irrepressible Seamus, came across to Mac and Varese as he also watched the two men march the third out between them.
"Is there a problem, ladies?" he asked, a little unsure as to whether he needed to call in reinforcements.
"None at all, thank you," Mac answered, smiling up at the benevolent face of her host.
"Can I ask what's going on?"
"Of course! If you'd care to sit down with us, we'll fill you in..." Mac offered generously, and Varese wondered where her companion was going with her 'sugar and spice' attitude.
Seamus took a seat, looking for all the world as though Mac and Varese were long lost friends of his, and he was spending time with them. He pasted a grin on his face, but neither woman was fooled. Both knew that if they weren't careful, this little fracas could escalate into something else entirely!
"Seamus, isn't it? Hi, I'm Mac and this is my friend, Varese. Our two companions are Harm and Sturgis, and the gentleman they've just gone to have a word with is called Stuart Dunstan."
"The ZNN reporter?" Seamus looked bemused. He had heard of the man, having stayed in Bahrain during both the first and the second Gulf wars, and his restaurant had been patronized by both media and military on a regular basis from the earlier conflict, right up to the present.
"Yes. Do you know him?" Mac asked conversationally, and Seamus shook his head.
"Not personally. Only by reputation. This is the first time he's been in here. He actually came in after you. Would it be possible that he's following you?"
"We're not sure, but I'm inclined to think so, and I'm sure Harm and Sturgis will be finding out exactly why he's here. It could, of course, be a coincidence, but we've crossed paths with Dunstan before, the last occasion being quite recent, so that possibility seems unlikely."
"Yes, I see what you mean. So, ladies, if you'll excuse me a moment, I'll go check on your friends, and I'll be back shortly. If you would care to order another drink, on the house, just ask one of the waiters."
"Thank you," said Mac. "We'll do that." As Seamus stood up and moved away from the table Harm and Sturgis were making their way back. Mac got to her feet and introduced Seamus to the two of them, explaining the possibility that Dunstan was following them. To Mac's surprise, Harm shook his head.
"It appears to be a complete coincidence that he's here. He was just coming over to say 'hello'." At this point Mac rolled her eyes in disbelief, and Harm grinned, nodding at her expression. "He's going to finish his meal, and go back to his hotel, just as he planned to, without disturbing our evening."
"Did you hurt Mr Dunstan at all?" asked Seamus, who was unable to hide his smile at the thought of the puny news reporter going up against Harm's 6'4" frame.
"Not a mark on him," stated Sturgis, retaking his seat next to Varese, and Harm lowered himself into his seat also, even waving as Dunstan returned to his own table with just a brief glance in their direction.
"Very well, I'll leave you to your meal, and hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. If I'm busy outside when you come to leave, please let me know. I like to say 'good night' to all my guests."
"Will do," acknowledged Harm, watching as Seamus wandered off through the restaurant.
"So! What happened?" asked Mac as soon as Seamus was out of earshot. Varese was interested in the reply to this question also, and she tipped her head at Sturgis, waiting for his version of the preceding events. Harm smiled at Sturgis and then looked at both women.
"Dunstan appears to be in trouble with his bosses. Since he got taken for a ride by his assistant, said bosses have been riding him, telling him to keep his nose clean, and giving him the less exclusive assignments. He's too good to be doing local and national reporting, they know that, but they want to keep him out of sight for a while too. Where better than to be in plain sight? Unfortunately, the rest of the media know he's had his knuckles rapped, and they're giving him a rough time."
"Why doesn't he quit?" asked Varese.
"He says he's thought about it, but where would he go? Most major stations won't touch him until the incident with his assistant goes away, which with there being deaths involved, won't be for a long time. The stations that do want him are, quite honestly, beneath him - even I will admit that! He's a good reporter, he just doesn't know where to draw the line sometimes between what's valid news and what's plain hype."
"Did he hear what we were talking about?" asked Mac, resting a hand on her abdomen, hidden from Dunstan's view by Harm's body. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, as Dunstan was looking nowhere but down at his food while he ate. Harm nodded.
"Apparently, yes. The first thing he said was that he was coming over to offer his congratulations. The next thing he said was 'what about fraternization?'. That's when he tripped over the step on his way out of the door back there." Harm indicated the door to the outside terrace with a shrug of his shoulder.
"Of course, we had to help him to his feet again," Sturgis went on to explain, "but unfortunately, he hit his head on the swing door as we turned him around to come back inside."
"You told Seamus he didn't have a mark on him!" Varese squeaked.
Harm and Sturgis looked the epitome of innocence.
"When we asked him if he was okay, he said 'yes'. We couldn't very well pin him down and check out his bruises if he didn't want us to. So we told Seamus the truth. What we could see of his body was unmarked."
"Dunstan isn't going to leave this alone, Harm. He'll sue!"
"Well, if he decides to do that, there are three senior lawyers at this table, and a credible witness." Harm winked at Mac, and she backed off, her attention distracted as Dunstan got to his feet and left his table, acknowledging them with a brief nod of his head.
"Okay, let's finish enjoying our meal, shall we?" Harm asked, but Mac worried at her bottom lip with her teeth, and Harm put his hand on hers.
"It's okay, Mac. Honestly, Sturgis and I didn't touch him physically. He's up to something, and we don't know what yet, but what I said about his job is what he told us. Sturgis suggested we play nice, and we did. We'll keep an eye on him from a distance, and if we think he's going to say something we don't like, we'll talk to him again. Failing that, we'll talk to ZNN."
"Okay," Mac accepted Harm's explanation, but while the thought of what Dunstan could be up to ran in the back of her mind, she outwardly continued to enjoy the evening, and was pleased to see that Seamus was genuinely wishing them well when they came to leave the restaurant, and his plea that they come back to see him again some time soon was acknowledged.
"I hope your friend Dunstan is a little happier the next time he dines with us," murmured Seamus, watching Harm's expression a little too closely, but if Harm was fazed he didn't show it.
"I'm sure he will be," acknowledged Harm, as he and Sturgis escorted Mac and Varese off the premises and into the waiting hotel limousine.
BAHRAIN SHERATON HOTEL
MANAMA
FRIDAY EVENING
As the four of them entered the lobby of the hotel, Harm heard his name being called out. Complete with rank, Lieutenant Jorgensen stood and addressed him.
"Captain Rabb, sir. I have orders signed by Captain Johnson, sir."
"What orders?" Harm asked, taking the envelope that Jorgensen held out, but without opening it.
"Sir, there's been an attack on a supply ship. We're being scrambled to provide air cover."
"When do we leave?"
"Immediately, sir. Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie, you are to return to the Sea Hawk via the COD in the morning, ma'am."
Mac nodded absently, seeing the look of sudden horror on Harm's face. Without asking him, she knew. Mattie.
"I'm not leaving without seeing her," Harm told Mac, aware that Jorgensen was looking at her watch.
"You have your orders, Harm!"
"No." It was simple, and irrefutable. Harm was determined to stay until Mattie returned to the hotel.
"Then give her a call. Ask the Purcell's to bring her back early."
"It's almost ten thirty now. By the time I've changed upstairs and got my gear together she'll be back. I'm not leaving, Mac."
"I know. But you're this close," Mac brought the tips of her thumb and forefinger on her right hand to within a millimeter of each other as she spoke, adding "to disobeying a direct order."
"Yeah, but I've got a hell of a defense attorney!" Harm broke into his famed grin, and Mac couldn't help it - her laughter drew attention from Sturgis, Varese and Jorgensen, and a few others in the hotel lobby.
"Okay. Let's get upstairs and start getting you ready. Jorgensen, come with us. It's quieter than having you standing around down here. We are supposed to be keeping a low profile these days." Mac took charge of the immediate situation, and Harm turned to Sturgis.
"Will you and Varese stay down here and wait for Mattie, please? As soon as she comes in, bring her up?" Harm asked the pair of them.
"Absolutely, buddy. Go, get changed. We'll be up asap." Sturgis put his hand on Harm's shoulder and looked straight at him. They had been friends a very long time, and when Sturgis said simply 'I'll take care of them,' Harm knew exactly what he meant, and that he meant every word.
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To be continued