ABOUT US 2: Surprise, Surprise 10/14
Author: LeE
e-mail: lee_81881@yahoo.com
Classification: Romance H/M
Disclaimers: JAG doesn't belong to me. It belongs to DPB and CBS. I'm just having some fun while procrastinating on homework...
Author's Note: Here's part 10 everyone... Thanks once again to those of you who have stuck with this one. I greatly appreciate your feedback and your encouragement...:) Enjoy... LeE
*From Part 9*
"Oh yeah. They've been partners for 7 years. Got off to a rocky start, but Clay learned his place quick enough. They're like my own children. Never thought relationships like these had any place in the CIA did ya?" Don said and smiled knowingly. Mac simply shrugged. She never thought relationships like these had any place in Clay's life, period.
"Well, it's a nice surprise" AJ said and smiled. "It shouldn't be too long now"
"No. I made sure all the documents and evidence were delivered securely to the Secretary of Defense. He and I are old friends. I don't see how this circus can go on much longer once the government knows the truth. I also have a special team on Callahan's tail. He thinks he's safe. Boy is he in for a surprise" Don finished and smiled inwardly, mentally rubbing his hands together in excitement. He couldn't wait to get his hands on Callahan.
*Part 10*
AFGHANISTAN
ABANDONED WAREHOUSE
SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2002
0345 EST
The last few hours had gone by with both men in silence. Harm was experiencing some type of withdrawal from the drugs he'd been given, and Clay just sat there staring at the wall.
"Every year we'd go to the memorial park and leave flowers on his grave" the small tone in Webb's voice caught Harm by surprise. Clay looked briefly at him and then lowered his head, a sardonic smile on his face.
"April 24th. Every year we went, Dad, Mom and I; Mom and I alone, after Dad died"
Harm was speechless. He knew how it was. He could sympathize with Webb's pain growing up, because he'd lived through a similar thing himself. The particulars of Neville Webb's death were not clear to him, but somehow he knew that was subject for another time and place.
"And all this time he's been alive. I had a twin out there all my life and I never knew. His death affected my mother more than she'd let on. I never knew him, but there was always a feeling I couldn't shake off. When Don told me the story a few weeks ago I almost lost it. That's probably why I got careless enough and got myself kidnapped" Clay finished with a snort, and Harm could see the frustration and slight embarrassment clearly coming through in his words. Clay had been beaten at his own game, and Harm knew it'd take time for the spook to get a handle on it all.
"What'd you think the first time you saw him?" Harm asked, quietly, knowing Clay probably just needed to talk it out once and for all.
"I thought it was a joke. That someone knew about what Don had told me and was messing with me. But after a while I realized he was serious, and when he told me Callahan was his father, well, I knew it was the real thing. Now I know why Callahan never liked me, why there was always that tension palpable when Don and him were in the same room..."
Jay chose that moment to make an entrance and threw something at Webb. His wallet. "Here, what a shame I didn't get to know that gorgeous partner of yours while I visited Washington. I'm sure we would've had some fun together"
"You bastard. If you touch her..." Clay was incensed at once at the mention of Annika.
"I haven't touched her, brother. But other people might have. I'd hold on to that picture if I were you, might be the only way you'll ever see her again." Laughing loudly Jay turned and left the room.
Harm looked down at his feet where Annika's picture had landed. Reaching down with his long arms, Harm picked up the picture and scanned it. Raising his head, he gazed back at Webb seconds later.
"You've got a partner?" Harm asked amused. He'd never seen Clay react that way before. She had to be very special for him to lose it like that.
"Yeah, seven years. Annika Marie Vranch" Clay answered wistfully. His first thought after he was kidnapped had been of her. What would she do? Would she even find out the truth?
"I take it you two are close?"
"Harm..." Clay drawled in a warning tone.
Harm held up his hand. "Listen Clay, I know how you feel. I can see it in your eyes. I'm talking from experience here, remember?"
"We're just friends, Harm. Best friends. She's saved my life more times than I can remember, and vice versa"
"But you love her" A statement, not a question.
Clay shot him an exasperated look. "Harm..." the warning tone again.
"Okay, okay. But just so you know, after keeping it inside for so long, it feels damn good to let it out. Just say it Clay"
"Harm, there's no place for fairytale endings like yours and Mac's in the CIA, okay? Our jobs are too damn dangerous for us to get involved. Right now, she's undercover in some drug lord's house down in Venezuela and I haven't had any contact with her for 4 weeks. You think that's any way to get involved with someone?"
That one statement told Harm all he needed to know. Mac had almost died in his arms once, she'd been under attack while away from him, she'd almost gotten married while he swam around in the Atlantic, she'd been kidnapped by that psycho Coster... Harm knew about the worry and anxiety one goes through when someone you love is in danger. Fortunately, that wasn't an every day occurrence at JAG. Clay, on the other hand, went through it almost every day. The realization spoke volumes, and one more piece of the puzzle that was Clayton Webb fell into place.
"Clay, I didn't say to tell her, I didn't even say you had to act on your feelings. I'm just telling you that denial is the worst way to go."
Clay laughed sarcastically. "That's why you didn't waist any time with Mac now, isn't it?" The look of pain and regret that crossed Harm's face made him regret his words immediately.
"Harm... I didn't meant to..."
"No, you're right, Clay. Mac and I wasted too much precious time, and from what I can tell, you and Annika have too" Harm said softly and looked up at the spook he now could call his friend.
"Yes" was Clay's simple answer. "I do love her. I have for the longest time, but she deserves better. You've got to meet her Harm, she's amazing" Clay finished and Harm smiled at the sudden enthusiasm on his voice, the light in his eyes.
"When did you know, Clay? When did you know you loved her?" Harm asked him gently. Maybe women were known for these types of talks more than men, but it didn't sound like a bad idea at the moment.
Clay sat there silently thinking over his answer. How do you explain to someone when you fell in love? He'd never done it before. Maybe he could tell Harm about the day they met. Or about the day he got his first dressing down from his daring new partner. He could tell Harm about their first undercover assignment. Or about the overwhelming fear every time she was in danger. Whatever he chose to tell him, he had a feeling Harm would understand.
"We started working together in March of that year. We had many ups and downs, many fights, many reconciliation dinners. It was Christmas, and I knew I wouldn't make it home in time for Christmas Eve dinner with my mother. I returned home December 26, and there she was in my apartment. It was all decorated in the Christmas spirit. She cooked dinner for me and bought me that nice dress shirt we'd seen at the mall a few months back during an assignment. I should've told her that day. I should've told her I loved her then. We'd probably be married with a family by now."
Harm had listened closely to Clay's story, and was amazed at how identical his situation with Mac was to Clay's. Maybe he had more in common with the spook than he'd thought.
"Clay... I really think you should..."
Clay's mask fell back in place as quickly as it had vanished. "I'm not good enough for her, Harm. End of story. Now we should really concentrate on how to get out of here. I don't think the message I sent to Don was received. I should've gotten confirmation" Clay finished with a scowl, looking away, signaling silently the end of the male bonding period.
Harm recognized his attempt at changing the subject, and realizing getting out of there was more important than discussing the intricate details of their love lives, he decided to go along with Clay and figure out a way to escape. He was feeling a lot better. The withdrawal from the drugs wasn't that bad. His leg was still in pain, but it didn't feel like it was broken. His arm was wrapped and the bleeding had stopped considerably.
"You think there are other guards here? I didn't see any when they brought me. How about you?" Harm asked.
"No, I didn't see any. I think we could make it if we could get a hold of Jay in here and get his gun." Harm nodded and they proceeded to lay out their plan to escape. Harm had always prided himself on being an observant person. But the things Clay had noticed about the place were amazing. 'I learned from the best' was all Clay had said when Harm had asked him about his CIA training. There were still many things Harm wanted to know about his friend the spy. There would be time for that later. For now, all he wanted to do was get out of there so he could see Mac again.
TBC
Author: LeE
e-mail: lee_81881@yahoo.com
Classification: Romance H/M
Disclaimers: JAG doesn't belong to me. It belongs to DPB and CBS. I'm just having some fun while procrastinating on homework...
Author's Note: Here's part 10 everyone... Thanks once again to those of you who have stuck with this one. I greatly appreciate your feedback and your encouragement...:) Enjoy... LeE
*From Part 9*
"Oh yeah. They've been partners for 7 years. Got off to a rocky start, but Clay learned his place quick enough. They're like my own children. Never thought relationships like these had any place in the CIA did ya?" Don said and smiled knowingly. Mac simply shrugged. She never thought relationships like these had any place in Clay's life, period.
"Well, it's a nice surprise" AJ said and smiled. "It shouldn't be too long now"
"No. I made sure all the documents and evidence were delivered securely to the Secretary of Defense. He and I are old friends. I don't see how this circus can go on much longer once the government knows the truth. I also have a special team on Callahan's tail. He thinks he's safe. Boy is he in for a surprise" Don finished and smiled inwardly, mentally rubbing his hands together in excitement. He couldn't wait to get his hands on Callahan.
*Part 10*
AFGHANISTAN
ABANDONED WAREHOUSE
SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2002
0345 EST
The last few hours had gone by with both men in silence. Harm was experiencing some type of withdrawal from the drugs he'd been given, and Clay just sat there staring at the wall.
"Every year we'd go to the memorial park and leave flowers on his grave" the small tone in Webb's voice caught Harm by surprise. Clay looked briefly at him and then lowered his head, a sardonic smile on his face.
"April 24th. Every year we went, Dad, Mom and I; Mom and I alone, after Dad died"
Harm was speechless. He knew how it was. He could sympathize with Webb's pain growing up, because he'd lived through a similar thing himself. The particulars of Neville Webb's death were not clear to him, but somehow he knew that was subject for another time and place.
"And all this time he's been alive. I had a twin out there all my life and I never knew. His death affected my mother more than she'd let on. I never knew him, but there was always a feeling I couldn't shake off. When Don told me the story a few weeks ago I almost lost it. That's probably why I got careless enough and got myself kidnapped" Clay finished with a snort, and Harm could see the frustration and slight embarrassment clearly coming through in his words. Clay had been beaten at his own game, and Harm knew it'd take time for the spook to get a handle on it all.
"What'd you think the first time you saw him?" Harm asked, quietly, knowing Clay probably just needed to talk it out once and for all.
"I thought it was a joke. That someone knew about what Don had told me and was messing with me. But after a while I realized he was serious, and when he told me Callahan was his father, well, I knew it was the real thing. Now I know why Callahan never liked me, why there was always that tension palpable when Don and him were in the same room..."
Jay chose that moment to make an entrance and threw something at Webb. His wallet. "Here, what a shame I didn't get to know that gorgeous partner of yours while I visited Washington. I'm sure we would've had some fun together"
"You bastard. If you touch her..." Clay was incensed at once at the mention of Annika.
"I haven't touched her, brother. But other people might have. I'd hold on to that picture if I were you, might be the only way you'll ever see her again." Laughing loudly Jay turned and left the room.
Harm looked down at his feet where Annika's picture had landed. Reaching down with his long arms, Harm picked up the picture and scanned it. Raising his head, he gazed back at Webb seconds later.
"You've got a partner?" Harm asked amused. He'd never seen Clay react that way before. She had to be very special for him to lose it like that.
"Yeah, seven years. Annika Marie Vranch" Clay answered wistfully. His first thought after he was kidnapped had been of her. What would she do? Would she even find out the truth?
"I take it you two are close?"
"Harm..." Clay drawled in a warning tone.
Harm held up his hand. "Listen Clay, I know how you feel. I can see it in your eyes. I'm talking from experience here, remember?"
"We're just friends, Harm. Best friends. She's saved my life more times than I can remember, and vice versa"
"But you love her" A statement, not a question.
Clay shot him an exasperated look. "Harm..." the warning tone again.
"Okay, okay. But just so you know, after keeping it inside for so long, it feels damn good to let it out. Just say it Clay"
"Harm, there's no place for fairytale endings like yours and Mac's in the CIA, okay? Our jobs are too damn dangerous for us to get involved. Right now, she's undercover in some drug lord's house down in Venezuela and I haven't had any contact with her for 4 weeks. You think that's any way to get involved with someone?"
That one statement told Harm all he needed to know. Mac had almost died in his arms once, she'd been under attack while away from him, she'd almost gotten married while he swam around in the Atlantic, she'd been kidnapped by that psycho Coster... Harm knew about the worry and anxiety one goes through when someone you love is in danger. Fortunately, that wasn't an every day occurrence at JAG. Clay, on the other hand, went through it almost every day. The realization spoke volumes, and one more piece of the puzzle that was Clayton Webb fell into place.
"Clay, I didn't say to tell her, I didn't even say you had to act on your feelings. I'm just telling you that denial is the worst way to go."
Clay laughed sarcastically. "That's why you didn't waist any time with Mac now, isn't it?" The look of pain and regret that crossed Harm's face made him regret his words immediately.
"Harm... I didn't meant to..."
"No, you're right, Clay. Mac and I wasted too much precious time, and from what I can tell, you and Annika have too" Harm said softly and looked up at the spook he now could call his friend.
"Yes" was Clay's simple answer. "I do love her. I have for the longest time, but she deserves better. You've got to meet her Harm, she's amazing" Clay finished and Harm smiled at the sudden enthusiasm on his voice, the light in his eyes.
"When did you know, Clay? When did you know you loved her?" Harm asked him gently. Maybe women were known for these types of talks more than men, but it didn't sound like a bad idea at the moment.
Clay sat there silently thinking over his answer. How do you explain to someone when you fell in love? He'd never done it before. Maybe he could tell Harm about the day they met. Or about the day he got his first dressing down from his daring new partner. He could tell Harm about their first undercover assignment. Or about the overwhelming fear every time she was in danger. Whatever he chose to tell him, he had a feeling Harm would understand.
"We started working together in March of that year. We had many ups and downs, many fights, many reconciliation dinners. It was Christmas, and I knew I wouldn't make it home in time for Christmas Eve dinner with my mother. I returned home December 26, and there she was in my apartment. It was all decorated in the Christmas spirit. She cooked dinner for me and bought me that nice dress shirt we'd seen at the mall a few months back during an assignment. I should've told her that day. I should've told her I loved her then. We'd probably be married with a family by now."
Harm had listened closely to Clay's story, and was amazed at how identical his situation with Mac was to Clay's. Maybe he had more in common with the spook than he'd thought.
"Clay... I really think you should..."
Clay's mask fell back in place as quickly as it had vanished. "I'm not good enough for her, Harm. End of story. Now we should really concentrate on how to get out of here. I don't think the message I sent to Don was received. I should've gotten confirmation" Clay finished with a scowl, looking away, signaling silently the end of the male bonding period.
Harm recognized his attempt at changing the subject, and realizing getting out of there was more important than discussing the intricate details of their love lives, he decided to go along with Clay and figure out a way to escape. He was feeling a lot better. The withdrawal from the drugs wasn't that bad. His leg was still in pain, but it didn't feel like it was broken. His arm was wrapped and the bleeding had stopped considerably.
"You think there are other guards here? I didn't see any when they brought me. How about you?" Harm asked.
"No, I didn't see any. I think we could make it if we could get a hold of Jay in here and get his gun." Harm nodded and they proceeded to lay out their plan to escape. Harm had always prided himself on being an observant person. But the things Clay had noticed about the place were amazing. 'I learned from the best' was all Clay had said when Harm had asked him about his CIA training. There were still many things Harm wanted to know about his friend the spy. There would be time for that later. For now, all he wanted to do was get out of there so he could see Mac again.
TBC