Symmetry

A/N: Takes Place after NCIS: LA Episode 11x22 Code of Conduct

Chapter 1: Converge

Mac's POV

I'm still not quite sure how I got roped into this. First, I was placed as the liaison to help run the initial investigation with the NCIS Office of Special Projects and then when the accused was caught and charges were filed, the SecNav specifically asked me to prosecute. As with previous JAGMAN investigations I had been in on, participating in the actual investigation didn't preclude you from being able to act as counsel in a court-martial. I really would have loved to be in the desert next to Callen and Sam when they took him down.

None of this really matters as I've never been more ready for a trial than I am for this one. I will take great pleasure in putting Navy Chief Petty Officer Thomas Argento away for the rest of his natural life. That is if he doesn't get the death penalty, which is a true possibility at this point. I haven't argued a capital case in a very long time, and the last one still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Although, this one has got to be worse. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever have to prosecute a Navy Seal for war crimes. They are supposed to be the best of the best, the epitome of honor and truth. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

The amount of press in the room doesn't phase me in the slightest either. It isn't the first time that I have had to argue a case being broadcast on television. At least this time opposing counsel won't tell me that I would make a better lap dancer than a lawyer. Even though my former law professor was just getting me to push myself harder, that comment still irks me to this day. I also won't have to worry about a man claiming to love me offering pictures of me in a bikini to reporters. He's lucky I didn't break off any of his vital parts after that stunt. At least my brains finally kicked in before I said "I do" to that smug Aussie bastard. Walking away from me at the airport was the best gift he ever gave me.

Regardless of how prepared I am for this case; I know that defense counsel is going to give me a run for my money. After all, he was my protégé earlier in his career. And I taught him well, sometimes I think we taught him too well. We…. the Three Musketeers once upon a time of MacKenzie, Rabb, and Roberts. That was a very long time ago, back before the world went crazy and we ended up fighting across multiple deserts, back when there was still a chance that I would end up with the man I had been dancing with for years, and back when I still believed in love and second chances. It's hard to believe so much time has passed yet I still feel like I am standing in exactly the same place in some aspects.

Don't get me wrong, I have a fantastic career. I have traveled to almost every continent, stood toe to toe with the big guns and won, put a countless number of bad guys behind bars and helped innocent ones go free. I've walked a million miles in my not so comfortable shoes, and I wear the medals on my chest to show all I have accomplished. During the day, I am happy. But when I come home at night, the loneliness sets in for what I gave up. Duty, Honor, Corps doesn't leave much room for anything else, and it certainly doesn't keep the bed warm at night. I won't say that it necessarily caused me to lose the man that I love, but it surely didn't help matters either. Although if it weren't for the Corps, I never would have met him in the first place. But we let duty get in the way so many times that I lost count. If we had just let our hearts lead instead of our heads for all those years, where might we be now?

Admiral Helfman reads off the laundry list of charges and inquires, "Is the government ready to proceed?"

Pulled from my thoughts of the past, I swiftly respond, "Yes, your honor." Argento had waived his Article 32 rights and decided to proceed directly to court-martial. He also declined any plea agreements offered. I am definitely ready to nail this guy's ass to the wall!

She asks, "Is the defense ready to proceed?"

Captain Roberts replies, "No, your honor. My client has requested new counsel."

The courtroom, which a moment ago was dead silent, gets extremely loud by all the conversations going on in the background. This was not how I expected the trial to begin. I glance over at Bud in astonishment who silently mouths "Sorry" as Judge Helfman bangs the gavel shouting, "There will be silence in this room immediately!"

The Admiral inquires, "New counsel, now? Why wasn't this brought to my attention sooner? You are fully aware that I do not like surprises in my courtroom, Captain."

Bud replies, "I was only just informed last night, your honor. I knew that my client had requested a specific person to represent him, but I was not aware that the counsel would be available until this morning. I'm sure that we will need to request at least a brief continuance so that I can bring him up to speed."

Helfman sighs, "And where is said counsel now?"

Captain Roberts cautiously replies, "He should be here any moment, Ma'am."

Before Helfman has a chance to respond, the doors to the courtroom open and newly pinned Admiral Harmon Rabb, Jr. sidles up to the defense table. Standing as stoic as he ever did, he states, "My apologies for my tardiness, your Honor. I was unavoidably detained."

It takes absolutely every ounce of my military bearing to keep me upright. What in the hell is he doing here? If he thinks this is one of those moments when two lives intersect and there's not a traffic light in sight, boy does he have another thing coming!