Keeping her secret

1. Found out

Last week of September
JAG Headquarters
Admiral's office
"Close the hatch and sit down, Commander."
Harm did as ordered. Although it was clear he was not in trouble, the voice of his CO sounded very serious.
"I have to ask you a personal question. Is the Colonel a witch?"
Harm's jaw dropped.
"Sir?"
"Is Colonel MacKenzie a witch?"
"Sir, I'm not at liberty to reveal that," Harm protested. "One's religion is a private matter and since the Constitution grants us freedom of religion …"
"I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately this is not a private matter anymore. So, is Mac a witch?" Chegwidden asked again.
He saw the still unconvinced and reluctant expression on his subordinate's face and pushed a newspaper over the desk towards Harm.
"Read this."
Harm picked it up. It was one of Washington's tabloids, infamous for its over–the-top articles, not always founded on the truth. The leading article was titled 'Sentenced by magic?' and talked about a case of sexual abuse that Mac had prosecuted only days earlier. The culprit had been found guilty of aggravated rape and sentenced to ten years of hard labour in Leavenworth. But that was not the main subject. The article suggested, using many insinuations and innuendos, that the prosecution's evidence hadn't been so airtight as had been claimed, instead the prosecutor, aka Colonel Sarah MacKenzie had used magic powers, if not to say witchcraft, to get a conviction.
Once more Harm's jaw dropped. Then he exploded "That is not true! Mac would never use anything else than evidence - and logic - to have someone convicted!"
"You know that and I know that. But the public feast on this," the Admiral retorted. He slammed his hand on the paper. "So, what's going on?!"
Harm felt he had to tell.
"Yes. She is a witch. She told me about a couple of months ago. In May we were on an investigation in Lynn."
'That fraud case?"
"Yes Sir. We concluded the investigation at Friday afternoon and on Saturday we were to drive back to Washington, but instead we decided to spend the day in Salem and drive back on Sunday. Mac already knew a lot of the place, but I didn't think much of it. A week later though, on our weekly movie night she said she had something to tell me. That was when she told me she was a witch. After the time she had gone undercover in Gulfport, the case against Chief Petty Officer Merker, she had had a conversation with one of the women involved, Seaman Stortz. She had become interested in Wicca and asked Stortz for information. Stortz recommended some books and when Mac was back in Washington she found a coven, that's a group of witches. She contacted them and they accepted her as an apprentice."
"So … that is over a year ago. She still is an apprentice?"
"I don't know. She doesn't talk much about it; apparently what happens in the coven stays in the coven. Sometimes she tells about the things she has to study, like the use of herbs and crystals and reading Tarot cards."
"Right. Any idea how she was 'found out', by lack of better word?"
"No Sir, until now I never told anyone."

First week of October
Friday late afternoon
Mac's place
He had to avoid the line of picketers, turning their endless circles, their signs held high. One of them wanted to push a flyer in his hand, but he declined, his smile so fake he was afraid it would roll off his face. Once inside he expressed his true feelings with a row of muffled curses. If this was what she had to endure each day …
Inside he found the radio playing and Mac busy preparing dinner. She was singing along with a song, but he could see the tension in her shoulders. He shed his coat and shoes and walked over to the kitchen.
"Anything I can do?" he asked casually.
She turned towards him.
"No, just finishing the casserole; then it needs only half an hour in the oven." She bit her lip. "But a hug would be nice."
Only now he recognized the radio was playing in order to drown out the protesters' voices. He gritted his teeth. His tough as nails Marine … this was so not her normal behaviour.
"That can be arranged," he said lightly. She turned back to the counter and started to sprinkle the casserole with fine bread crumbs, grated cheese and little chunks of butter. Then she placed it in

the hot oven. She washed her hands, dried them and then walked straight into Harm's arms. Immediate he folded them around her, rested his cheek against her hair and waited. Finally she put a step back.
"Thanks, I needed this."
'I need you' she sighed inwardly, but didn't utter that thought. After all, even though they had grown closer over the months, they still were friends. Just friends. Harm sensed she still wasn't feeling well. Gently he steered her towards the couch, had her sit down and turn her back to him, then he started to massage her shoulders, paying attention to every knot. When he was done, Mac let out a soft moan.
"This feels so much better," she said. "Thank you."

Third week of October
Mac's place
"Maybe it's better for you to go away for some time?" he said hesitantly.
Mac didn't look happy.
"I don't like the idea of being chased out of my own house. But on the other hand …" she sighed. "This is no fun either. Each time I more or less have to wrestle my way in, I feel their eyes on my windows all the time and my neighbours started not only to ask questions, but make comments as well. They feel the pressure as well. But then again, when I 'flee', they declare me guilty."
"They already declared you guilty," Harm simply stated. "What was it you said when you told me you're a witch? All victims of false accusations and mass hysterics."
Mac cursed, then let out a wry chuckle.
"If I was guilty, I would put a nasty spell on them! Now, at this very moment!"
Harm laughed, too.
"I'm sure you would come up with something creative," he teased. "But to circle back to the subject, maybe it is best to go away. If only to have a break. Halloween is approaching fast and I presume they are not willing to give you that break. AJ suggested as much, but …" Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "You do have some personal time left, do you?"
Mac nodded.
"What do you think?"
"Grams. Why don't you go to Grams for a few days?"
"Did she invite me?" Mac asked a bit insecure.
"No."
Mac swallowed heavily and faced away. Harm placed his hand on hers.
"Mac, she didn't have to, for you have a standing invitation. Just like me, you're always welcome. Just drop by. She'll love to have you!"
Now Mac lost the fight against her tears. For days, weeks now people had been screaming at her, pushing signs in her face, telling her they didn't want her, that she was evil, a witch and that 'thou shalt not suffer a witch to live'. Harm pulled her into his arms.
"Hey, there are plenty of people wanting you around, plenty of people loving you," he comforted.