…For Meritorious Service, Chapter 42

Jason could see Jennifer Coates' prone form lying on the asphalt. To her left one of the terrorists that had followed them back to JAG Headquarters was pointing a smoking pistol at her.

"You are too late Petty Officer," said the smiling terrorist. "Your pretty little friend is dead."

Jason started to run toward the man, but his feet felt like lead weights.

The terrorist threw back his head and let out a hearty laugh looking not unlike a pirate from one of those late night movies. The man began firing his pistol into her lifeless body. "See how she dances? You will join her soon enough, my friend."

"Nooooo! Jennnniffferrrr!" Jason could hear himself yelling. All he wanted to do right now was reach out and strangle this sadistic killer.

"Geetttt Awwwaaayyy frommm herrrr!" He barked as he lunged at the terrorist, knocking the gun out of his hands. That's when the Admiral's Yeoman saw the knife.

"Welcome to hell, infidel," hissed the man as he shoved the knife toward Jason's heart. The Petty Officer was able to get his hand in the way and he felt the white hot searing pain as the knife plunged deep into his arm.

Jason somehow knew that the man's next thrust would kill him. The inertness of Jennifer's form told him she was dead; maybe he should just let the man kill him too. It would save him from suffering the grief he could feel welling up in him.

The knife moved toward him again; the Petty Officer braced for the impact of the cold steel against the soft flesh of his chest—

It was bright.

"Oh, I'm sorry," said a feminine voice quietly, "Is that too much? I didn't mean to disturb you…."

Jason Tiner tried to orient himself…everything was fuzzy and diffused. His mouth tasted like dried paste.

"Would you like some water?" the voice asked.

Jason nodded his head. The Petty Officer 1st class knew now he was strapped down to some kind of bed. Had the terrorists taken him hostage? Maybe he shouldn't take that drink of water he was being offered….

"Do you know where you are?" inquired the female voice.

The Admiral's Yeoman, only seeing shadows and light, hoped she wasn't the enemy.

He shook his head.

"You're in the intensive care unit at Bethesda Naval Hospital, in Bethesda Maryland. Open your mouth a little more for the straw…."

Jason's vision was slowly coming back. He could see her shape hovering over him as he opened his parched lips. Though his training told him not to, his need for water overrode his caution. The icy shock of cold water flowed into his mouth through the straw.

"Small sips Petty Officer, you don't want to choke," the form gently admonished.

He felt the water moisten the inside of him mouth and trickle down his dry throat.

Jason cleared his throat. "Where-" began to croak and then lapsed into a fit of coughing, sending spasms of pain shooting through his body.

"Unnnhhh," he said gritting his teeth against the hurt. "Where's Jennifer?"

"Who?" the voice inquired. Jason's vision had cleared enough that he could see a fuzzy representation of woman standing over him.

He cleared his throat again. "The Petty Officer I was brought in with – Petty Officer Coates."

The Admiral's Yeoman could now see enough to notice the sympathetic look on the woman's face. If she had noticed him using his fellow soldier's first name, she wasn't letting him know.

"She's down the hall," the nurse tried to give him an encouraging smile. "The Petty Officer hasn't regained consciousness yet, but the doctor expects her to do so later this afternoon…."

Jason laid his head back on his pillow and silently said a prayer of thanks. Jennifer was alive.

"Sir, Director Tom Morrow from NCIS is on line one," Harriet said pertly.

"Put him through Lieutenant," AJ waited for the line to buzz in his office. Thank God, at least the phones were still working.

As soon as the line lit up, AJ spoke into the receiver. "This is Admiral Chegwidden."

"Good morning Admiral, how goes the clean up?"

The JAG looked sourly around his bullet scarred office. "As well as can be expected Mr. Director," AJ said dryly. He really did not want to waste time with a lot of polite chit-chat, so he decided to force the NCIS Director to get to his point for calling this early.

"As you can guess Mr. Director, I'm really busy this morning, what can I do for you?"

AJ could almost hear the man's wry smile "Admiral, I'll come right to the point. I've been asked by the SecNav to investigate this terrorist attack and its connection with the Dodge murder trial."

"And why is that, Mr. Director?" The JAG already knew the answer.

"Because according to evidence your people found, the Falls Church terrorist cell is related to the terrorists in Mirbullah."

"I see…."

"And the SecNav and the SecDef believe there is a direct correlation between the terrorists who were holding Mrs. Dodge and the ones that are in communication with the traitors within the 36th MEU."

AJ began to get defensive. "My team is handling that," he said brusquely.

"Let me remind you Admiral," Tom said clinically, "According to DOD regulations, *we're* the primary law enforcement arm of the US Navy and Marine Corps. Our job

is-"

"I know what your job is, Mr. Director," the JAG said interrupting. "And your people did a hell of job yesterday."

Tom Morrow sat back in his chair, not sure if that was a back handed compliment or an in-your-face insult.

"I sent every man I had available Admiral, including my lead senior agent."

AJ Chegwidden thought back to how Leroy Jethro Gibbs had been just the kind of backup they needed yesterday.

"I know Mr. Director and we appreciated the help."

"We could have prevented this attack if we had been in on this investigation from the beginning," he pressed.

AJ wasn't about to accept responsibility for causing this attack. "I doubt your folks could have done any better, Mr. Director. We had specific orders from the SecNav as well to investigate the death of Lieutenant Dodge—that's part of *our charge* 'to investigate, prosecute, and defend' and also part of *our job* Mr. Director, is to find out the truth in any incident…good, bad…or ugly."

"Commander Harmon Rabb is heading your investigation in Mirbullah?"

"Yes, and he's the lead defending attorney in the Dodge murder case."

"The Cobra gunship crew that allegedly shot and killed Dodge?"

"That's right, why?"

"Because we've gotten reports from Rabb that there have been several more murders, Admiral. I think you could use our help."

"And I'm certain my team can handle this. Commander Rabb was informing your agency per protocol. My attorneys are fully qualified in investigative techniques-"

The NCIS Director wanted to head off any long drawn out arguments. "I believe your other team from the Naval Legal Service Office branch in Bahrain was fully qualified and we both know what happened to them."

That hurt. AJ wished he had never ordered Commander Lexington to send those young JAG attorneys into that mess but it seemed so cut and dried at the time. Well Director Morrow might be right about that lapse in judgment, but JAG wasn't the only organization with shortcomings.

"Your agents haven't always been the chummiest with Commander Rabb, including Agent Gibbs."

Tom Morrow knew that several of his agents had little good to say about the Navy's poster boy, Harmon Rabb, junior.

"Admiral, NCIS specifically hired Special Agent Gibbs because of his military experience and his ability to understand Sailors and Marines and their environment," The NCIS Director said pointedly. "I get the impression this resistance might be due to the murder investigation involving Commander Rabb this spring."

AJ straightened in his chair. (You're damn right it is!) "Your Special Agent Gibbs almost railroaded one of my top lawyers!" Despite efforts to restrain himself, the JAG found he was nearly biting the Director's head off.

Tom Morrow was quick to respond trying show they were on the same side. "But Admiral remember, it was Agent DiNozzo, at Agent Gibbs insistence I might add, who cleared your Commander-"

AJ wasn't going to let him off that easy. "After almost getting him convicted of murder on virtual hearsay and circumstantial evidence!"

The NCIS Director knew he was right and understood he was under a lot of pressure, more than any one man should be.

"All right Admiral, I see your point." He conceded. "Can we at least make this a joint NCIS-JAG investigation? I can have my team there by tomorrow evening at the latest-"

AJ had a satisfied smile on his face. "We can make it a joint JAG-NCIS investigation as long as JAG Corps has jurisdiction over the joint investigation."

Harmon Rabb hated what he was about to do, but because of the terrorist attack on JAG Headquarters, he had no other choice.

The phone line clicked bringing the tall Navy aviator/lawyer out of ruminations. "Commander Rabb, JAG Corps. Let me speak with Special Agent Gibbs," He told the person on the other end of the line.

The line clicked again then a gruff voice filled the Commander's ear.

"Gibbs…."

"Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs? This is Commander Harmon Rabb, JAG Corps."

Gibbs standing in the hallway outside MTAC smiled into his receiver. "Commander, we've played this game before; I'm not in the service anymore. Still trying to run the show, are you?" He took a sip from his ever present coffee cup.

Harm sighed. He deserved that for sounding so pompous. "Agent Gibbs, I need your help…."

The Special Agent's voice became as hard as granite. "And why should I help you Commander?"

Harm initially wanted to be friendly to this man since he was responsible for getting him cleared of charges that he had murdered Lieutenant Singer but the man's hostile attitude overrode the Commander's urge to be nice.

"Because if you don't a pair of innocent men are going to be tried and sentenced for murder due to sloppy investigative techniques."

"Whose sloppy investigative techniques?" Gibbs demanded. Now the Commander had his full attention.

"The NCIS field agent who investigated the death of combat engineer Phillip M. Dodge, 36th MEU. I have reason to believe he may be involved in a cover-up to throw us off the scent of the real killer."

The silver-haired NCIS Senior Agent had heard a lot about this case and the fact that a NCIS field agent out of Baghdad might be involved in a cover-up of some sort blew away any lingering animosity he had toward this JAG hot shot.

"His name is Sedrick Phillips, Commander, I'll have him report to you."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Special Agent Gibbs,"

"And Commander, I want to talk to him as well."

"I'll send him on the next flight to the U.S., Gibbs."

"That won't be necessary, Commander because I'll be there, so you can just turn him over to me when you're done."

Tom Morrow's smile was growing strained. "I think we can do that Admiral."

AJ's smile grew wider. "Good. I also want Commander Coleman to go with Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo."

As far as the NCIS Director was concerned, the JAG had pushed his luck too far. "I don't think we can let our JAG liaison go on a mission like this, Admiral."

"Sir my people are combat trained and Lieutenant Commander Coleman has worked well with your team in the past. I'm sure she'd find the field experience…beneficial." AJ's smile could almost be interpreted as wicked. The smile disappeared as he continued to press his argument for including a JAG presence in the NCIS investigation. "More importantly Mr. Director, we started this and we want to finish it. I want to nail these traitors."

Tom Morrow thought about how he would feel if he were in the Admiral's place – probably exactly the same way.

"You know Admiral, normally I would argue this point, saying you're too emotionally involved, but I can understand where you are coming from and it just so happens that I'm short on agents right now. You do understand though that she will be under Special Agent Gibbs' command and expected to follow his orders…."

AJ smiled again. He understood what the man was saying. "That won't be a problem, Mr. Director."

Now Tom Morrow was smiling. "Then it's settled. Admiral, we want to help you find who's responsible for this."

"I understand Mr. Director and we appreciate the help."

"I'll contact Agent Gibbs and have his team on the next flight to Mirbullah."

Faith Coleman was sitting at her desk in the NCIS-JAG Liaison Office carefully re-reading her client's deposition for the sixth time.

She wanted to be sure she had all the details about her client's testimony. She started to make a note when she noticed the pencil she had picked up from the cup on her desk had a dull point. She got up from her seat to sharpen the offending pencil when her phone began to ring.

She debated internally on whether or not to answer it. She needed to get this pencil sharpened but that telephone call might be someone important.

Jack McBurney seated on the other side of her neat and perfectly aligned cubicle, stood up and looked at her.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" he asked.

"Did you use one of my pencils?" she said pointedly, ignoring the ringing phone.

"I think you'd better answer that," he said side stepping the question. Of course he had used it. After all, they shared this office. He thought it might not hurt just this once to use one of her many razor sharp pencils for jotting down a quick set of notes about a case.

"Did you use one of my pencils?" she repeated. The telephone continued to ring.

Jack sighed heavily, raising his hands in surrender "Yes, yes, yes, I used one of your precious pencils! Now will you answer your phone?"

Faith hissed disgustedly at her partner. Why in the world Admiral Chegwidden had assigned both of them as liaisons to NCIS, she would never understand. Maybe it was punishment for their handling of Commander Rabb's case….

Brushing that irritating thought aside, she picked up the receiver and punched the blinking line. "Lieutenant Commander Coleman, NCIS Liaison-"

"Commander? Where the devil have you been?"

"Admiral Chegwidden!" she gasped.

Jack smiled at her discomfort; at least it got him off the hook temporarily. Faith, despite her embarrassment at keeping the Admiral waiting, shot the smiling Major a baleful look.

Jack's smile evaporated. He knew she was going to chew on him when she got off the phone.

She continued to keep her eyes on Jack as she skillfully maneuvered around her faux pas. "My apologies Admiral, Major McBurney insisted we talk to Special Agent DiNozzo regarding his testimony in Seaman Burkoff's trial,"

She gave the Major a sinister smile. "Yes sir, I'll be sure to tell him that was a waste of invaluable time."

Jack wanted to grab the phone from her but knew this was her revenge for using her pencil.

"Yes sir…Mirbullah? Yes, I'm familiar with the case…TAD to Iraq sir? With Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo sir? …no sir, not at all. Thank you Admiral. Goodbye sir."

Jack moved closer to her as she placed the receiver on its cradle.

"Well?" he prompted.

"I've been assigned to assist Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo with their investigation of the attack on JAG Headquarters." She said as if explaining something quite obvious to a dullard.

He ignored the barb. "So what was the reference to Iraq about?"

She reached under her desk for her briefcase. "It is believed those involved in the attack came from Mirbullah."

Jack sat down on the edge of her desk. "Isn't that the same town where Commander Rabb and his team are conducting a court martial?"

She ignored the fact that he was sitting her desk. She set the briefcase beside him and opened it. "Yes, it seems the Admiral and Director Morrow feel there is a connection between the terrorists attack and this court martial." Faith picked up her pencils and snapped open a compartment in her briefcase and carefully placed them inside one by one. "I don't know how long I'll be away but *do not* use my desk while I'm *gone*, Major."

1223 Zulu

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

AJ Chegwidden was going over the list of what he needed to have done for the next few days while he was gone. Mattoni and Clemons could talk with the Detailers about getting Permanent Change of Station [PCS] folks settled into the Washington, DC area. Burford could handle getting the TAD people on board as quickly as possible. He'd have Sims work with him on that. She's good at organizing arrangements.

He smirked to himself, not as good as he was though, remembering how she had conned him into arranging Mac and Mic's engagement party.

He made a note to check with Galindez's Detailer to see if he could get the Gunnery Sergeant TAD to JAG. They could sure use his help.

Lieutenant Sims appeared at his door. "Admiral?"

He looked up from his paperwork at her over his reading glasses. "Yes Lieutenant?"

"The Army's Judge Advocate General is on line two, sir."

(The intercom system must have failed,) was his disgusted assessment. "Put him through Lieutenant."

She nodded. "Aye sir," She turned and walked back to Tiner's desk.

When the button lit on his phone, he punched the line as he picked up the receiver.

"Admiral Chegwidden,"

"How are you doing AJ?"

The Navy JAG smiled. "Good morning Bill. I'm doing as well as can be expected right now."

He and Bill Davidson went way back. He had met Bill on weekend pass in Da Nang. Not exactly Tokyo, but it was the best his CO could do at the time. SEAL Team Three would be participating in another sweep on Mekong Delta the following week, so he couldn't let AJ get too far out of reach.

He bumped into Bill literally as they both took cover under a table in a bar during a Viet Cong rocket attack. Bill at the time was with 1st Air Cavalry as a gunship door gunner and they had just completed a sweep through the A Shau valley.

Once the rocket attack was over they shared a few beers. Well really, AJ forgot how many they actually had. He and Bill stayed in touch as they rose through the ranks, but neither had ever thought that one day they would be the top military legal weenies.

"I understand. I called to tell you I'm sending some office equipment your way as well as two of my staff TDY. They'll help set up the equipment and assist with any telecom or computer problems that might arise."

There's nothing like good friends to put you into a better frame of mind. "That's great Bill."

"The Secretary also approved me sending a company of my MPs to help secure your headquarters' perimeter. They should be there within the hour. They'll help out until the new members of your security company are in place."

The Navy JAG chuckled and shook his head. "Bill are you sure you aren't just trying to horn in on a Navy-Marine operation? Grab some of the glory for yourself?"

His old friend's voice turned cold. "Are you accusing me of turning this into a PR campaign for the Army?"

AJ's voice was just as cold. "Yes Bill, I am."

Both men laughed heartily.

"Guilty as charged old buddy," said the Army JAG, his voice still ringing with merriment. "Nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humor."

AJ's smile wasn't as radiant. "It's what keeps us going through the dark times, Bill."

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs came down the stairs from MTAC and headed toward the bullpen

Tony DiNozzo could see the senior NCIS Agent was making a beeline for his desk.

"Grab your gear," Gibbs said tersely.

"What's up boss?" The former Baltimore detective wondered why Gibbs looked so aggravated.

"We're headed to Iraq-"

"Iraq, Boss?" he repeated stupidly.

"Yes Tony, Iraq. Commander Rabb has turned up a problem with our field agent in Baghdad."

Tony knew immediately what Gibbs was talking about. "Ole Sedrick?" He replied smiling that rascal smile of his. "What'd Sedgie do, jaywalk in front of the Commander?"

The lead NCIS Agent turned and pierced DiNozzo's jovial attitude with a harsh stare. "He betrayed his country, DiNozzo."

Tony's eyes flew open as he shook his head vigorously. "What? No way Boss! Not Sedgie! C'mon Gibbs, this guy Rabb is nuts! Sedrick is as straight as they come!"

"Someone got to him Tony," Gibbs said with uncharacteristic softness "Offered him a lot of money to look the other way during a JAGMan investigation."

"Which JAGMan investigation?"

"The first one to look into the cause of Combat Engineer Lieutenant Philip Dodge's death."

Tony knew that both JAG and NCIS were still feeling the effects of that debacle. Three fast rising junior officers had skewered their careers trying to fabricate evidence against the Cobra gunship crew that had allegedly killed Lieutenant Dodge.

The circumstantial evidence had pointed to the gunship crew, but the JAGs from Bahrain had decided more substantive proof was needed, so incredibly, they made it up. NCIS Senior Field Agent Sedrick Phillips knew something was rotten about this sudden wealth of solid facts, so he started digging and uncovered the truth.

Now a murky case became even murkier with the supposed hero turning out to be just as dirty as the people he had caught.

"So what are we gonna do Boss?"

"We're getting on the next flight to Baghdad."

-TBC…