Chapter 9
A/N: It has been too long since I have paid this story a visit. I apologize and hope my updates come sooner in the future.
Mac's Apartment, December 25, 1999, 10:55 EST
"Chloe, it's almost time!" Mac called out to the girl still getting ready in the bathroom.
"Do you have the laptop set up?" Chloe asked.
"Yes. Ready and waiting," Mac replied.
"Okay, I'll be out in a sec!" Chloe said, slightly out of breath from hurrying so much.
When Chloe came out of the bathroom, her hair had been washed, dried, and styled into simple curls. She had applied some light natural makeup and put some jewelry on. A huge smile formed on her face when she saw Mac's reaction to her appearance. Chloe then sat down in front of the laptop and waited. After a short time, a man appeared on the screen.
"Daddy! Merry Christmas!" Chloe said enthusiastically. The two then continued to talk to each other about their lives, the holidays, and everything else that had happened since their last conversation.
Mac had said hello to Chloe's father, but then gave her some privacy. She went into her bedroom and took out her cell phone. She noticed an unread text message. She smiled when she saw that it was from Adam. She read the message and then sent a reply. After a short time, her phone rang. She didn't have to look to see who it was.
"Merry Christmas, Adam," Mac said in a gentle voice.
"Merry Christmas, Sarah," Adam replied.
"You know most people call me Mac," she began to say.
"I know, but I'm not like most people."
"What does that mean?" Mac teased.
Mac and Adam continued to talk for a while longer. Chloe was occupied with her father's video call and Adam's family had most of their celebrations the previous night and that morning. The two mostly just discussed their lives and their interests - what most people who just met each other would talk , Adam steered the conversation in a more serious direction.
"So," he started, "Do you have any plans later this evening?"
"Actually, no. Chloe was going to spend the night with one of her friends from my building," Mac responded.
"Would you like to get together this evening?" He asked her.
"I can't imagine what would even be open…" Mac began to say.
"What about a nice walk through the city and look at the lights and shop windows? I've heard people find it very enjoyable."
"That sounds very nice, actually," Mac said. "I think I'd like something a little more simple."
Adam and Mac exchanged information for the time and place he would pick her up. Shortly after that, Mac needed to excuse herself to get back to Chloe who had just finished her video call. She and Adam said goodbye to one another and she smiled as she hung up the phone. Mac could not wait for the evening the two of them had just planned.
Naval Consolidated Brig, Solitary Confinement, Miramar, December 25, 1999, 11:32 PST
Reality was beginning to set in for the Navy Lieutenant as she sat in the small ten foot by seven foot cell. At first, she had felt enraged. She was angry a male guard put his hands on her like that without following contraband search protocol. Then, she felt shame and humiliation as she was dragged away from the prison yard and to the solitary confinement unit. When she first arrived, she was full of adrenaline and had to pace to keep her mind busy. Now, she was tired, hurting, hungry, and lonely.
How did I get to this point in my life? Skates wondered. I've always been the one to cooperate and comply. Now I'm sitting in here on Christmas with no hope of even a phone call.
There was a loud bang on the cell door. It caused Skates to jump. She stood up and waited. Then, a small compartment on the door opened and a tray of food was passed through. The person on the other side of the door didn't say a word. They only closed the compartment and moved on to the next occupied cell.
Skates moved closer to the door to retrieve the meal. As she grabbed the tray, her stomach turned. Bread and water. Some Christmas dinner, Skates thought. She sighed and sat on the hard mattress with her tray. Even though it wasn't at all what she was expecting or hoping for, she ate her entire meal. After she finished, she placed the tray back where it could easily be retrieved again. As Skates went to sit back down on the mattress, she felt a pain in her stomach and heard it grumble. Great, only six more hours until dinner…
Harm's Apartment, December 25, 1999, 18:00 EST
Harm was seated on his sofa with his guitar in his hands. He wasn't usually one for playing popular tunes, but today felt like a day for him to be a little different. He had just finished strumming and humming along to Jingle Bells, when he looked at the clock. By this time in the evening, he had already spoken to all of his family members on the phone and called his colleagues from work. Typically, he would have been at a Christmas party, but due to JAG employees having so many out-of-town guests this year, they decided to move their festivities to New Year's Eve.
Why hasn't she called?
Harm was beginning to wonder why his former RIO had not yet called him. He knew that she would be allowed phone privileges on Christmas. Worried, Harm picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Naval Consolidated Brig at Miramar.
"Good evening. Front desk. Lieutenant Ryker speaking," Harm heard when his phone call was answered.
"Good evening. I'm Commander Harmon Rabb Jr with JAG. I need to speak with my client, please," Harm told the Lieutenant.
"Yes, sir. Who is your client, sir?" Lieutenant Ryker asked.
"Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawkes," Harm responded. There was a long pause and HArm could hear papers shuffling through the phone.
"Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawkes…" Lieutenant Ryker repeated. "Oh," he said. "Sir, are you or the Lieutenant supposed to appear before court in regards to her case within the next 72 hours?"
"Why do you ask?" Harm wondered, confused.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but Lieutenant Hawkes is not allowed any contact unless she is appearing before court within the next 72 hours."
"I'm her attorney. She has a right to speak with me," Harm said. He could feel his temper beginning to rise.
"I'm sorry, sir, but she gave up that right. She was sent to solitary confinement early this morning," the lieutenant told Harm.
"Excuse me?" Harm's mouth fell open and his eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "There must be a mistake."
"No, sir. Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawkes, goes by Skates. I witnessed two guards taking her away."
"As her attorney, can I know the nature of the offense that sent her to solitary confinement?" Harm asked.
"Yes, sir. It says right here - 'Lieutenant Hawkes smelled heavily of cigarette smoke. When asked about it by Lieutenant Reiss, Lieutenant Hawkes proceeded to disrespect Lieutenant Reiss. Lieutenant Reiss requested that Lieutenant Hawkes hand over the contraband, but she refused and replied with sarcastic remarks. Lieutenant Reiss saw where Lieutenant Hawkes was keeping the contraband and attempted to grab it. When Lieutenant Reiss put a hand on Lieutenant Hawkes, she kicked him and then proceeded to punch his face. At this time, Lieutenants Yuos and King took Lieutenant Hawkes to solitary confinement.' I'm sorry, Commander. I know that is not what you wanted to hear."
Harm couldn't believe what he was hearing. He fell back into his seat and felt his heart sink. He always knew Skates to be a rule follower and always respectful. She even called him "sir" when he had told her numerous times that "Harm" was perfectly fine. He could tell from some of their phone conversations that this was not an easy transition for Skates, but Harm just figured it would be temporary. He never expected to hear news like this.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Ryker," Harm said to him. "Do you know when she will be available?"
"December 28th," he responded.
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Merry Christmas," Harm told him.
"Merry Christmas, Commander," Harm heard the man say before he hung up the phone. When the call was disconnected, he just let the phone fall out of his hand. He closed his eyes and desperately hoped for a better future for his friend.
Come on, Skates, keep it together.
Mac's Apartment, December 25, 1999, 18:30 EST
"You're right on time," Mac said to Adam as she opened the door and gestured for him to come inside.
"Merry Christmas, Sarah," Adam said, handing Mac a rose and a small wrapped box. Her face appeared to have an expression of surprise and gratitude.
"Merry Christmas, Adam. Thank you so much," Mac said to him, accepting the gifts. She walked over to her small Christmas tree and grabbed a small package from under her tree and handed it to Adam.
"You didn't have to-" he started to say.
"I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to," Mac replied, smiling.
"Well," Adam said, taking a seat on the sofa alongside Mac. "Ladies first," he said as he nodded toward the gift in Mac's hands. Mac gently removed the paper from the package to reveal a long but thin black box. Mac opened the box and she took a sharp inhale when she saw what was inside.
"Wow, thank you!" Mac exclaimed. "How did you find something like this at the last minute?"
"My cousin is a jeweler," Adam admitted as he helped Mac to put on her new United States Marine Corps Semper Fi pendant necklace.
"It's beautiful," Mac said. Adam smiled and nodded.
Not as beautiful as the woman wearing it, he thought to himself. He wanted to say that out loud, but his nerves got the best of him.
"Well, that's a tough act to follow," Mac said as Adam began ripping the paper from his own gift. With the paper off, he opened the box to reveal a leather wallet with the caduceus medical symbol engraved on it. "What do you think?" Mac asked.
"It's perfect," Adam told her. "How did you know I needed a new wallet?" He asked.
"At the airport I noticed how sad-looking your old wallet was. It looked like it could use an upgrade and I just happened to find one shopping around with Chloe."
"Well like I said, it's perfect. Thank you."
Adam and Mac enjoyed each other's company for the next several hours. They spent time at Mac's apartment chatting and then made their way into the city. They walked around together chatting and viewing the lights and storefront decorations. As time was progressing, it was becoming clearer and clearer to the pair that they had something special growing between them. By the end of their evening, they began holding hands and embraced each other for warmth during a particularly cold gust of wind. As the night wore on, it soon became time for the pair to part ways.
"Sarah, I had a fantastic evening with you," Adam told her.
"This was one of the best Christmases I've had in a long time, Adam. Thank you," Mac replied to him.
"I'm happy I was able to make tonight special for you," Adam said to her. "I'll call you tomorrow. Have a good night and sleep well."
"You, too," Mac said back to him.
Adam extended his arms for one last embrace with his new friend. When they concluded their hug, Adam got the courage to lean with puckered lips. His eyes closed and he met Mac's warm lips. In some ways, the kiss felt like it lasted a lifetime and in some ways it felt like it was over before it began. Regardless, both of them looked deeply into the eyes of the other and smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile. Adam didn't feel like it was completely necessary to ask, but he did so just to confirm. After hearing a yes from Mac, he leaned in to give his new girlfriend one last goodbye kiss.