Beyond the Rivers of Jordan
Book 1: River Crossings
12 months earlier…
Chapter 1
JAG Internal Network
Log entry no: 20015577
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil equals no evil."
User ID: Mac_S.
Front of the Court House
Washington, DC
1745 Hours ZULU
"Colonel Mackenzie, do you and Commander Rabb intend to appeal this case?"
"No comment." She felt so weak.
"What do you think of the Chinese official's…"
"No comment," Even a breath seemed tiresome.
"No comment." She repeated again and again.
She could feel him closely behind and she wished that there was someway they didn't have to ride back together. The MPs and Sergeant Rennick were trying their very best to push back the crowd around them to clear a passage down the courthouse steps, but they just weren't doing it fast enough. Mac could feel her frustration building, struggling to keep it in check, but the press continued their interrogation, hands and microphones flailing around, cameras being jabbed into her face with utter disregard. And there was nothing she could do to make them stop.
Then she felt the slight brush of fingertips on her back, just below her shoulder blades. They hardly had half a second of their intended contact, but it was all that they needed.
" I SAID NO COMMENT! " she snapped, turning to face her trespasser. But instead of coming face to face with the arrogant, loud-mouthed reporter she was expecting, and would of course have easily deflated with a sentence or two, she found herself mere inches from a wide-eyed, slightly gaping Harmon Rabb, who had obviously been unprepared for her reaction, fingers frozen mid air. She couldn't muster a single word.
"…."
So embarrassed by her mistake, for a split second Mac forgot how irritable she felt, and when she sneezed, it made her feel all the more self-conscious as she took the white hanky he subsequently offered. But as quickly as awkwardness came, it left, and her previous disposition returned as she swung around to continue down the courthouse steps and straight into the waiting car. She shifted to allow Harm space to get in as well, quietly whispering a 'thank you' under her breath for the warmth of the car heater…at least one thing was going right in the world today. Glancing up from the side, her gaze met Harm's and she hurriedly looked back down, adjusting her scarf and pulling at the black colored lapels of the heavy trench coat. Harm took notice, but busied himself also, dusting off the bits of leaves that had magnetically attached themselves to the woolen material. He then pulled the car door shut, clearing his throat to make sure he didn't look like he was trying too hard. The sounds of the crowd outside pressed up against the car and made itself starkly apparent, its rise and fall as the door to the driver's seat opened and closed. Cameras flashed again and again as though they could and were wearing down the darkened glass windows, unashamed of trying to violate lines of restriction in their pursuit of the next days' headlines. They remained undaunted and unforgiving, as did the reporters' questions.
"Mr. Rennick," Harm called, startling Mac.
"Yes, sir?"
They glanced at each other.
"On the double please. I don't care if you have to run every stop sign from here to JAG."
"Sir, yes, sir!"
The Sergeant turned the key, then wound down the windows to speak with one of the MPs on his motorcycle. With a brief exchange of words, the window came back up and he turned onto the main road; the jet-black car riding out in between the two motorcycles. The whole 'entourage' as the Admiral called it, was courtesy of the SecNav. AJ had called in to discuss budget revisions because of the overflowing workload in the JAG office these recent months. They needed to expand their work base and resources, and to do that, they needed more money; money which the budget did not have. After half an hour on the telephone, all the Admiral could scrounge out of the man was his 'pansy circus'. The SecNav said it would be good for the NAVY's public image. And as if that wasn't enough, he added a side suggestion, telling the Admiral to let the poster boy use it when he handled highly publicized cases. The Admiral was gunning Harm for two weeks after that one.
"What are we going to do?" Mac asked without lifting her sights.
Harm stole a glance at her, then replied, "I don't know."
The way back started out smooth. It was quiet.
***********
Underground Detention Facility
Unknown location. Washington, DC
The cell was still pretty new. It had white walls and no windows to look out of except the small slip of glass on the door. The whole underground facility was built only recently by the Agency to facilitate secure movement of important individuals awaiting trial, to and fro between their detention cells to the DC Court House. Only those with important political bearing were kept here, not even the most notorious domestic serial murderers or drug lords could find their place here. There was small bathroom on one side of the wall, with a shower, bowl and sink and all necessary enmities. Right in the middle was a hollow steel block with two smaller blocks on either side. It would seat four persons comfortably. Close by, adjacent to the bed were a few long planks of plastic, protruding from the wall, each laid horizontally a foot or so apart, holding a few stacks of neatly folded standard issues. Beside those were some knobs of which only two were taken up by pre-ironed uniforms on hangers. The bed itself was an immovable hollow steel box as well, flushed against the back wall. The mattress, pillows and blanket were all covered with clean white sheets.
She was lying on the bed, hands behind supporting her head, one leg draped over the side planted on the ground. The Television set mounted on one of the top corners of the room was set on the news channel, but she was scarcely paying attention to it, like she was lost in thought. She did however spring to her feet when she heard the soft beep of the security system being unlocked and the steel door gliding open. She snapped to attention and saluted the woman who had just entered the room, greeting her.
"At ease, Major,"
She was wearing full black. Combat pants and boots with a black tank top. There was a strip of barcode tattooed along her left forearm. Not permanent I hope, Bobbi mused to herself. The congresswoman scanned the room from the left to the right, ending at the Television set hung up at the corner to her left. Then her eye caught sight of the remote lying entangled in the sheets behind, and she raised a brow.
"Well! They certainly don't make 'em like they used to, eh Major?"
***********
AJ's Office
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
"The new batch of case files for you to disseminate at tomorrows' meeting, sir…" Harriet informed as she came round the table. She separated the folders into four stacks in front of him explaining, "I er…took the liberty of sorting them out for you as best I could, sir…cases that are…of international concerns, I marked them as well, the ones with the sticky tape are really important, the rest are…you know, sir. …this stack is serious domestic, this one's more trivial, fratenization…etc. Last stack, sir, are the case files that administration could not classify under the 'five specific categories' you listed, …so they thought it best just to send them to you to make sure…"
AJ's lips curved a little, looking at Harriet from behind his glasses, "You sorted, Lt…"
"Y-yes, sir..?"
"Hmm…" she never ceased to amaze him, he mused to himself then returned to a more serious demeanor to get down to work.
"…So, this stack over here…" he said staring at the last stack, "Not under my 'five categories', huh?"
"No, sir…frankly I think they're not worth looking at…erm, if you want my opinion, sir."
AJ hardly paused before telling her, "Lose them, Harriet."
His subtle indication of trust made her smile and she quickly grabbed the stack from his table, "Yes, sir….and oh, sir, this is your schedule for the week. I've gotten Tiner to confirm all the appointments for the next two days…one or two on Friday are still pending," Harriet handed him the black organizer then continued, "And I printed out a sheet so you can just put it on the side for easy reference….and er, more papers for you to sign…"
Harriet laid the sheets down in front of him one by one for a brief glance before he put his name down. As they did this AJ continued,
"Could you remind Sgt. Higgins that I'd like the breakdown of the expenses on the Canton investigation, and tell Tiner on your way out, to send Harm and Mac in once they get back…and oh! Lt., have you managed to rectify that little problem we had the other day?"
AJ smiled a little to himself as he recalled the two memos he had gotten Tiner to draft on his behalf to the staff. Things had been busy, so he had assumed Tiner would be able to handle the task adequately. He didn't bother to check the content before it went out.
The first was an OFFICIAL MEMO circulated among all the legal staff. It stated:
"All members of the legal department of JAG are to note that annual leave taking benefits have been suspended temporarily until further notice. This is to cope with the current influx of demand for legal services. If anyone is stupid enough to even try his luck at sending in an application, the Admiral will personally see to it that the only leave that brave soul will ever be taking for the rest of his/her military career is compassionate leave to his own funeral."
And the second, thank goodness, was an OFF THE RECORD MEMO to the legal clerks:
"By order of the Admiral, cases that can be classified under the categories 'TRIVIAL' and 'OF NO DAMN CONSEQUENCE'; or have any relation to a goat, a dog or 'Rudolf the damn Reindeer', are to be automatically denied legal services. No officer who has 'accidentally misplaced' or 'burned' such a file/files will be punished."
Harriet promptly informed him afterward, but by then the whole JAG office was having a field day with it. Tiner had gotten a major shelling from him; his silly antic could have won him blooper of the year!
Harriet knew what he was referring to and smiled, "Yes, sir, I think the operation was a success, Admiral."
A contented look came over AJ's face, but he continued as though unconcerned by Harriet's evaluation of the outcome, "…and the memos, Lt.?"
"Every one accounted for, Admiral. …now well shreded packing material, sir."
AJ signed his name on the final slip of paper then handed it back to Harriet.
"Thank you, Harriet…I don't know what we'd do without you," AJ said gratefully.
"Oh you're welcome, Sir, just let me pass these on and I'll get started on the next lot."
"Lt., leave the rest till tomorrow! Once you're done with these you can have the rest of the night off…you've been pushing long hours this whole month! Go home and spend time with your family! God knows I would if I…"
AJ stopped short of finishing his sentence, and sighed as he realised it was too late to escape Harriet's notice, "Lt., go home. I think I can manage for one night."
Harriet picked up pretty quick in such situations, women's intuition she and Mac termed it. Mac was much faster at picking up things, but Harriet was better at handling them, especially when it came to the Admiral. She was careful not to make him feel awkward about them being concerned."Oh don't worry, Admiral. Bud's working late on the Crates court marshal, and AJ's playing by himself in Col. Mackenzie's office... Might as well make full use of the time."
AJ leaned back muttering, "Alright then, how can you argue with that."
He pulled off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose as Harriet began gathering up the stack he had just finished with to send them down to administration, taking a short breather before he went on with the rest of the load.
"And Admiral…" Harriet got his attention just as she was about to leave the room. He looked up.
"Yes?"
"I'm sure she understands."
AJ smiled gratefully making sure Harriet registered the unspoken message, then dismissed her to continue with her work, "As you were Lt…."
"Aye, aye, sir."
***********
SecNav's Car
Harm and Mac had hardly shifted at all since they left the Court house. Part of the reason was fatigue. Both of them didn't and much less could think about what to do with this case and what to tell the Admiral when they got back to the office. The other part, was just not wanting to draw one another's attention in the slightest way.
Adversity always seemed to bring them closer together, but the closer they became, the further they would push each other apart. Though they both wouldn't admit it, a part of them relished the awkward silences, such as they were having right now; It was rare nowadays for them to be found sitting together not doing anything of 'the gravest consequence'. They were either burning themselves in tough cases or burning themselves in tougher cases. With the media imposing on nearly every movement once they stepped out of JAG grounds, the only other refuge was the four walls of their homes. But then there was Mic and Renee to think about, so it wouldn't have been appropriate…not that they had it in mind to hang out together anyway. It wasn't appropriate.
Mic.
Renee.
Renee's dad had recently passed away, so she was still up at her mom's. Harm called to check two day back on how she was doing and she seemed pretty good. She met his mother some time back, and Frank. It had been her all her idea, it never even crossed his mind with him having so much to think about. They'd been going out for quite a while now; all was well enough. It was the next logical step. Renee had been talking about the possibility of marriage, even counting down the numbers of days left before Mac tied the knot with Bugme, complaining about the 'overtime' called in at the last quarter. But other than that they had no major bumps or hiccups, no problems with the relationship. And hey! You can never get enough of a good thing, Harm mused sarcastically to himself. He had wanted to talk with her that day, but when news about Renee's dad came suddenly, he had to go away for the funeral. Duty called. He knew Mac was upset, but he was sure it would hold together a few days. When he got back he even took the trouble to get to where she was, but she kept shutting him off. He realised why later…Mic had been around all along. …Mac was probably right. Renee was good for him. Things are good, no complaints.
What do you want?
I want a lot of things.
Mac, well…her place was with Mic now, as it should be. He had moved in to stay with her when he resigned his commission to come over. The relationship had been going seriously since she went over to visit him in Australia. He really loved her, and he would make her happy. Mic gave up everything just to be with her! What more could a girl ask? Initially, there was the slight upset when she asked to postpone the wedding, but who could blame him? She didn't know why he had changed his mind. Seeing him leave at the airport, it never occurred to her that they would ever get back together. The only thing on her mind was 'The End', and then there was…the other possibility. But she found him seated against the wall outside her apartment when she returned that same night, his pride so bruised by what she had done that all he offered in explanation was, "I love too much," and that he was willing to give her time to make up her mind. She was soaked to the skin from walking in the rain, too devastated and numb to have much of an opinion. He fussed over her as he usually did, getting her out of the wet clothes and into a hot shower. He made her coffee and tucked her in…even took the initiative to sleep in the guestroom on Chloe's bed. He made her feel all the security she wanted to feel as a woman. Loved. They gradually went back to what had been before…and after coming back from that assignment, he moved back into her room. He gave up the NAVY and his country. Things were as they should be.
Do you love him?
That's not a question you get to ask...
When Harm finally found out that Mic was back, he backed off for both their sakes. At first they were quarrelling all the time. They couldn't stand to be in the same room for even a while without it turning ugly. The flashes of resentment would just lash out, from Mac especially. But with having to work together all the time, and knowing that they were affecting the people around them, they tried harder. After some time, it was just too tiring to be so angry all the time, so things eventually got better, and better, then cordial. Things were good enough. Things were as they should be.
Do you love him?
Do you love Renée?
Sometimes they slipped up and into one of those 'I'm-here-for-you' modes…the whole friends deal, but they always pulled up in time, before the yellow light turned anywhere near red. It could be hard to see it coming though, one of those sneaky hallmark moments.
You have someone who will always love you.
Yet in the past week, it seemed like the whole roller coaster of anger and resentment all over again. And they wondered why now, after months of quiet did they want to once again risk all? Just to know the answer to that one question even though it was an answer of no consequence. They would never, and could never pursue it. It would lead to more pain for them and for the people around them. The wedding itself was in three weeks, and this was coming into play yet another time. The whole thing frustrated them. Of all times it picked to show up…of all times…
"…not now dammit…"
Mac froze hoping by chance she hadn't done what she was sure enough she had.
"…Mac?" he responded with uneasiness, wondering….
Maybe…"Yes…?" she replied feigning ignorance.
Shit. I said that aloud. What the hell am I doing?
"Erm…you alright?...I thought you just said something to me…"
"I..er.."
Stop! … I can't be having this conversation!
"Nothing! I just…nothing." she finished and looked away.
There was silence for sometime, each wondering what the other was talking and thinking about, or if they should be talking. It was a series of back and forth inside, something keeping them from acknowledging the subject matter. Maybe it was part hope that if they danced around the topic instead of acknowledging it somehow it would hurt less. Or maybe it was the fear that the answer wouldn't be what they hoped it was. I don't know. I don't. But as long as they didn't talk about, they could just pretend it didn't exist…they could choose for it to go away.
"Harm, I…"
"Mac, I..."
Together.
Shit.
Dammit.
"You first…no, you-"
Silence.
Dread.
Panic.
I should have shut up.
Each was trembling on the inside, making the silence that passed seem like ages gone by, too afraid that the other would say something and that they'd interrupt. So neither even tried to close the pandora's box that had been opened.
What do you want?Harm swallowed, hard.
**********
Alley behind a pub
Near Georgetown
Mic looked at his watch one more time, and sighed, his warm breath quickly condensing into a pale mist. He used his foot to nudge a crumpled tin can around, then decided to leave it alone in favour of listening to the irritating sounds of passing traffic. He didn't hear the other coming. Only felt his breath when it was mere inches from the back of his neck.
"I reckon you won't be going home tonight."
**********
SecNav's Car
"Sir, Ma'am,"
They both jumped and looked up at Rennick, guilty faces like two kids that had just been nabbed with their hands in the cookie jar. Mac raised an eyebrow questioningly at the driver, waiting to see what he wanted,
"…Sergeant?"
"Er, Ma'am…we're here?"
The MPs had stopped at the main gate, letting the car proceed through a second gate to the restricted zone. Harm and Mac realized where they were and felt the blood rushing up to color their cheeks. It was in quiet corner of JAG with practically no human traffic even during the day. Nearby was a small side door giving them access to a route which bypassed the front foyer reception to the main JAG buildings' entrance. Rennick picked them up and dropped them off here each day so as to avoid the throngs of media bombarding them for comments.
He doesn't know.
Both laughed pretentiously and began getting out of the car, thanking the amused Sergeant.
Interuppted.
Again.
And both wondered if it was a sign; that it wasn't meant to be, that they weren't meant to be.
The car pulled away, leaving them standing across from one other, with no mediation. But having been caught off guard was more than enough to kick start their rational minds. They could not be having this conversation, and they wouldn't.
"Mac, about the other nigh-…"
"Harm…" she stopped him, anticipating the words to come, "…you don't have to feel bad about it…I know it was nothing more. I needed someone…and you were there for me. It meant a lot to have you there..."
"As a friend-" Harm finished for her.
"Oh." Mac sounded almost disappointed, but was thankful she didn't give away the fact that she had thought he was going to say otherwise, "Yes! Of course!"
"Yeah…I mean, I just wanted to make sure the air was clean between us you know…" Harm added, "…with…erm…"
"…the Wedding!" They explained together.
"…in three weeks and all. You know…how it is…" Harm reminding himself more than anything else.
"Yeah. I understand..." how it was, Mac continued silently to herself, then repeated Harm's words back at him, "Three weeks!"
For a second they were both silent, eyes glazed, each remembering that night…
We're getting to good at saying goodbye…
Unconciously, Mac bit her lower lip, and Harm pressed his together to moisten them. Goodbye, they both whispered in their hearts before awakening to reality.
"Yeah…I think I'll actually make it this time." Harm joked with her, making her roll her eyes at him, as they both took one or two steps closer toward one another.
"As long as you're not getting in a tomcat…I think there won't be a crash and burn, stickboy!"
"Ouch!" Harm feigned a bullet would at her comment, and they laughed.
"Well…" Mac sighed a little, stepping to closer towards Harm..
"Well…" Harm repeated, both of them still rooted in their positions, "We've come a long way."
"Yeah. Looo-ng way," she agreed.
"And…three weeks! Wow!" Harm nearly choked on the sentence, letting out a heavy breath before continuing, "…three weeks and its Mr and Mrs Bugme! …You do know that's going to be on your door, don't you? …Lt. Col. Sarah Bugme!" he exaggerated.
Mac took a playful swat at him, chiding him, "That is not funny, Harm. Its mean."
"But its true! Think about it, Mac….'Sarah Brumby'?" He drew a rectangle in the air, to help her imagine the metal plate, then another, "…'Sarah Ra-b…"
Harm stopped and realised the implications of what he had said. It was meant to be a joke, but he had slipped up. Mac started looking a little awkward, so he tried to explain "…I was kidding…I didn't mean for it to come out that way..."
"I know," she assured him, "...it was just an example…"
"Just that," he replied, looking down to avoid showing the tinge of sadness he began to feel, but she could tell.
"Erm…we should probably go in," Mac said, beginning to turn. Then Harm reached out to grabbed her by the elbow.
"Are you in love, Sarah?" Harm asked suddenly.
Mac sighed as Harm let go of her, retracing the incomplete turn.
That's not a question you get to ask.
She hesitated, unsure as to how she should answer. At the same time, she knew diversion was not the way to go, it would only give cause to reasonable doubt. She pondered for a while, and answered him soberly, "I think I am… …and I think you are too…"
Harm knew what she was trying to do, so he obliged by not reading further into her answer, giving a sad smile in reply.
What I want, is never to lose you.
Mac persuaded him, "Think about Renee… …I'll think about Mic."
I want you to be happy for me.
"I'm happy for you, Mac," Harm offered, and she smiled gratefully in return.
They stood there for a while, as though saying their goodbyes through the quiet. Mac was the first to start walking away, leaving Harm there by himself. But after a few paces, she turned, and smiled to him,
"Come on, flyboy, you're not leaving Robin to face the onslaught alone!"
Harm smiled and shook his head, tightening his grip on his briefcase and following after her,
"I wouldn't dream of it…what's Robin without Batman?"
They both laughed, going through the side door and towards the main JAG office. As they immerged from behind the reception foyer, they could hear the reporters' muffled rousing. Harm and Mac glanced at the rabble many meters away, and snickered between themselves as they turned onto the tiled walkway. Safe. They masked the tumult of feelings, emotions, questions and desires behind the friendly banter and conversation, and they convinced their hearts that the 'what-ifs' could be locked far away into just another memory. With time they prayed, even distant memories would become forgotten ones, and neither one of them would remember the pain of having walked away yet again, side by side. It was just another day.
The same unmoving stone building.
Location doesn't change who we are.
The same set of arguments.
Most men would disagree with you.
Down the same road they had come
so many times together.
I know. I disagree with myself sometimes too.
And through the same two doors they came each morning.
You just can't let go, can you?
The same route leading to the same place all over again.
Not yet.
When they came in, it seemed almost like the whole office had deliberately come to a stand still, and they tried even harder to ensure that guilty questions were carefully concealed behind confident poise. Many of the staff may have gone home by now, but nevertheless the silence seemed overwhelmingly louder than the few muffled whispers coming from behind some of the desks, and the muffled whispers, gapingly more apparent than the quiet around.
They don't know…she assured herself.
They don't…he affirmed.
The pace became synchronized, and with each step they were realigning themselves, becoming more and more focused and in sync with the tasks at hand. They reminded themselves, this was the office. It was like the courtroom; it was their arena, the place where they remained victors undefeated and indestructible. Previous matters were now pushed back into the closet where they belonged. In here, things were always same, no surprises, no unwanted tipping of the scales. It was constant and predictable. It was control.
I see a man who's so afraid of losing control.
Hey, you lose control in my world and you die.
They slowed only slightly when they went past Bud and Harriet looking up at the Television monitor. "Morning Bud, Harriet…"
The couple stirred from their focus and greeted them back, grabbing a few files from the desk beside them.
"More news on the incident?" Harm asked after a quick glance of the highlighted text on the screen.
"Yes, Sir," Bud replied, "…the Marine Major's name was released this afternoon…she's a woman, sir."
"A marine AND a woman…what a disgrace," Mac commented,
"To you or the corps?" Harm smirked.
Mac threw him a dirty look as she continued, "So is she pleading guilty to the allegations?"
"No Ma'am, and apparently the CO of the camp she had deflected to is willing to vouch for her." Harriet answered as she and Bud caught up with the two, falling in step with the senior attorneys to give them a quick update. Bud beside Harm and Harriet beside Mac. With things being so overloaded, everyone was doubling over for everyone else. Harm and Mac did most of the international cases, but the Admiral had assigned with some of the younger lawyers just to give them pointers with some of the new things they had to handle. Bud was definitely a step up here. He'd proven himself on more than one occasion capable of going on to some tougher challenges. Harm was even second chairing him on a murder case. Both Harm and Mac had agreed with the Admiral that he'd be ready to go on his own after this one. Singer, well, she definitely had a lot to say about everything, she was stuck prosecuting a peeping tom. Harm told her to be grateful it had nothing remotely to do with a goat. Mac told her to be grateful it had nothing to do with a promiscuous dog. Everyone else…they humoured her some of the time. Most times they were just too busy.
"Sir, I've gotten the research materials you wanted for the Aspen case. Gunny did some digging and it turns out…" went Bud.
"…that there were indeed discrepancies in the materials used. Though its not that easy to tell…" went Harriet.
"…Lt. Kratean would still have been able to see clearly even with 45% of the lights blown out, so there was no way he could have missed the…" Bud continued.
"…tapered lines on both ends of the train. He finally admitted that there was simply no excuse for the mishap." Harriet continued.
"So Judge Manik called in to request that you send in your recommendations for sentencing by 0900 tomorrow." Bud finished.
"…he sees no need for a plea bargain with the issue in light of the overwhelming evidence of negligence." Harriet finished.
"Thanks, Harriet." Mac replied.
"Thanks, Bud." Harm replied.
"You're welcome, Ma'am."
"No problem, Sir."
Harm and Mac continued on their path, each briefly flipping the files open with their free hand. They waited until Bud and Harriet were a considerable distance before exchanging them.
"Research," Mac passed over the file she had.
"Wedding," Harm gave her his, "I prefer the pink."
They both smiled at the expected mix up, things as such were so chaotic, what more when it came to Bud and Harriet? They were both fine when it came to work; that in born muddle headed-ness never seemed to get in the way of Bud's performance on cases or Harriet's efficiency in holding the office together. It was when you put them together that things started getting interesting…but in a good way. But Harriet, now if there was anyone in the office worthy of praise during this time it had to be Harriet. Nobody could figure out how she did it, she was practically supporting the workings of the entire JAG office! Even with helping Mac with the wedding! She probably saw the to-be-groom more than she did! The good thing about all this was that the Admiral had started permitting officers to bring in their children after official office hours. There weren't many who needed to, so it wasn't a problem. But little AJ came in nearly every night, so both Harm and Mac got to see their godson often enough. Since the last failed wedding, they never went over to Bud and Harriet's together. So this was a welcome ruling for them.
"Sir, Ma'am, the Admiral would like to see you in his office…" Tiner caught up with them just as they were approaching the Admiral's office. He was still jittery from the last 'talk' he had with the Admiral, about the memos he sent out.
"Thank you, Tiner." Both answered together, marveling at the new found equilibrium they both felt.
Harm was already knocking on the door when Tiner continued, "Sir, Ma'am, can I take your coats and… -" the petty officer scarcely finished his sentence when the Admiral belted, "Enter!" And both went straight in without responding to the former, quickly sitting down in the cushioned leather chairs; Mac on Harm's right, both still fully clad hat and coat, right hands in pocket and left on their briefcases.
Robin and Batman, Harm reminded himself.
Batman and Robin, Mac reminded herself.
"Admiral-" they both started.
There was a pause.
"You go…" they came one more time.
Then once more, "No, you firs..-" hesitating yet again.
But before they could do another twosome, AJ stopped them short in annoyance, "EXCUSE ME!" causing both of them to redirect their line of sight from one another to him.
"…Good evening, Colonel, Commander."
The look of confusion at AJ's sarcasm was priceless as they waited on one another to reply. Then it dawned on them…at exactly the same time. They shot straight out of their seats into attention, and yes, still clad in Navy issued trench coats and with Harm's hand still on his briefcase. It took a while for him to figure why the Admiral didn't greet them back, and was instead leaning forward over his table, staring at him intently. Three pairs of eyes pivoted simultaneously toward Harm's left hand, and the sound of a heavy briefcase dropping to the carpeted floor could be heard. Only then, the long awaited words,
"Good Evening."
AJ gave them permission to be seated, and started to get himself comfortable. They didn't let him get comfortable enough though…
Through and above the bullpen, the JAG's voice could be heard.
"DON'T START!"
**************
Mikey's Station
Near Georgetown
All eyes feel upon the two men as they tumbled into the bar laughing heartily, arms drapped securely over each other's shoulder. Anyone could tell they were close.
"Sorry to disappoint, mate," Mic said as he pulled himself onto the seat, "but I've got better things to do than spend the night with the likes of you."
The other pulled himself up next to him. He was well built. Stout. Gruff-looking. He had a palm sized tatoo on his forearm; an Autralian Navy crest with an amoured fist in its center. Below it was a ribbon which read: Specialized Infantry Unit. 23rd Batalion.
"Now, now, is that any way to talk to the man who saved your life?" he objected.
"Well its better than sneaking around behind my arss…" Mic refuted, giving him a hard slap on the back.
"Mikey!" Mic called to the man behind the bar.
"The usual, Mic?" Mikey replied as he put down the glass he was cleaning.
"Of course…but two for a start, mate, right here's the man who saved my life…" Mic added, briefly squeezing the other's shoulder as he spoke.
"Ah…It's been a long time…" Mic's friend remarked as four bottles were placed in front of them.
Mic smiled back, "Yes it has, old bloke, yes it has…"
Each took hold of an open bottle, then tapping them together, took a long drink.
"So how bout it then? Two weeks. Tops!"
"Can't mate, I told 'ya, I'm getting' married that weekend," Mic replied and took another swig of his beer.
The man continued in a highly animated fashion, causing Mic to laugh harder as he went along, "So we'll put off the helio a couple hours! You can come straight after! She's a marine ain't she? Bring the woman along! I'm sure the crew won't mind a bit! …If you know what I mean. You could kill two birds with a stone, give her the honeymoon of her dreams, and help your mates along in the process!"
Mic laughed so hard he nearly choked as he answered, "Some other time, Casser, some other time…"
"Aw, come on, Mic! It's a marine's paradise!" the man persisted, finishing of the beer in his hand.
Mic placed a good wallop on the other's shoulder, and called out to the bartender, "Hey, Mikey! Think you'd better bring another one for my friend here!"
The man named Casser added, "Make it two, mate!" then turned back to Mic more seriously, "Well now, we always though you'd be the first, but to give up downunder to move here, now that Sarah's got to be some girl, eh?"
Mic just went on smiling as he drank his beer, and Casser asked, "She worth it, Mic?"
Mic tipped the top of the bottle lightly against Casser's, replying, "Oh she's worth it, Casser, she's definitely worth it," then gulped down another mouthful of the bottled brew.
***********
JAG Headquaters
Falls Church, VA
"Admiral, there's a chance we could still prove his innocence…""With what? …pass me the stamp…The goat's infallible testimony??"
"No comments on that one, sir," Mac replied.
"Oh I've noticed that's very much all you've said, Col.!" AJ commented sarcastically.
"But Admiral…" Harm interrupted..
"No buts! Rabb!" AJ shot him down as Harriet continued passing him the forms, "The fact is we can't afford to keep up on this case! …Thank you, Harriet….We can't even afford time for an appeal much less ask for a brand new trial!….here? okay….Our staff are pushing over time on last months' cases! And the… - Harriet, what's this?…"
"…This months' expenses, Admiral?"
"I KNOW its this months' expenses! Is it correct??"
"Y-yes, sir…I checked it myself, sir."
AJ stared wided-eyed at the slip of paper and then back at Harriet and back at the paper. Then he looked at Harm and continued yelling,
"And we definitely can't do it on the damn budget!" he bellowed signing the form.
"…Don't look at us, sir…" Harm shrugged, "we're using the SecNav's car…" This earned him a solid frown from Mac. Trust him to crack one now.
"Oh don't get cocky with me, Rabb! I'll…"
"Sir!" Mac interjected, "What the Commander means to say is we feel the Corpral Hazard doesn't deserve the punishment he was given…anyone can tell it was the wrong sentence…"
AJ's frown grew as he continued the discussion, "Col, you and I both know it would be close to impossible to pull this one off. Those damn fools up in Washington would never allow their interests to be compromised…even at the expense of that young man! It's a small price to pay their 'greater good'!
"But Admiral, surely there's something that can be done?"
"You don't have to like it, Mac, God knows I don't. But that's the way it is. …here? Right…"
AJ traced his signature onto the paper then passed it back; sighed and then continued, "Mac, you can't win 'em all, not at these odds at least. Sometimes you just have to make the choice and move on."
He noticed the two across him steal glances at one another, but he picked up his pen to continue signing the papers as though he hadn't.
"Besides, as I recall, don't you have a wedding to plan?"
With the present wave of unrest, the JAG office had been thrown into a state of 'twenty-four seven' having to deal with self serving politians and their supposed feverent pursuits of justice. Big cases took up more time, more manpower and more money. Budgets had to be continually trimmed and revised so they could afford to cover everything. Employees had to be stretched at the expense of their families; he had started granting special permission for some to bring in their kids after office hours. Most of the time, AJ wasn't one to let such things go. Passionate. Perfectionist. Harm and Mac reminded him of when he was younger, but experience had taught him how to make the wiser choice. Sometimes you just had to weigh opportunity costs and decide what was for the better. In this case, it was for the better.
"Thanks, Lt." AJ handed the papers back to Harriet.
"Well, sir, Harriet's been lending me a hand with everything, she has such a knack for it too…" Mac replied.
"Oh really?" AJ looked towards Harriet who was turning around with worry on her face.
"Yes, sir. She has this whole theory about planning weddings like a military operation…"
"Uh huh." AJ glanced at Harriet again.
"…actually, now that I think of it, sir…I think she mentioned that you-"
"…its really nothing, Admiral! …Past experience…glad to help…" Harriet tried to stop Mac, to AJ's relief. He'd been the one to advise Harriet when it had been her and Bud's wedding. Let Harm know something like that and his life would be a living hell.
"Hmm. …why don't you carry on, Lt.?" AJ dismissed Harriet, who nodded nervously and scuttled off.
"You're welcome, Admiral…sir, ma'am," Harriet said as she took her leave of AJ's office. The two senior attourneys looked slightly baffled at Harriet's answer, and her behavior, but AJ quickly took the chance to change the topic. He noted that Harm had been rather quiet, which was unusual for him.
"So. Anything to add with regards to the case, Commander?"
"No, sir."
"No?"
Walking away was the right thing to do.
"n-no..sir."
It wasn't easy.
"Hmm. 'No'…well…this is not one of your underhand tricks now is it, Rabb?"
I think sometimes that's how you help a person the most.
"Of course not, sir…I just think you're right…about letting this case go. It's the right thing to do."
AJ was narrowing his eyes trying to analyse Harm, so the latter explained further, "…er like you said, Admiral, it's a no win situation…he would still have been convicted of lesser charges which he was guilty of…which would have been at most two years difference in his sentencing. …Its five years, Admiral…not a life sentence."
My husband…
Kinda brings it home, huh?
Mac shifted in her seat uneasily, so Harm leaned back and looked somewhere else hoping the moment would pass. AJ raised an eyebrow at the scene, pondering. Then decided to finish off the meeting.
"Okay then. If you've nothing to add, Col…"
"I have none, sir," Mac replied glancing back at Harm again. And she found herself fingering her left hand nervously; at the spot where the ring had once been, wishing that the cold metal, the binding physical reminder could somehow still be there for her to hold on to.
I'm marrying the guy…what do you think is between us?
***********
Mikey's Station
Near Georgetown
"You're kiddin' me aren't you? The one on the Chinks case?" Casser said, cracking open a peanut.
"The very same one," Mic replied.
"You got yourself quite a looker there, old chum!" the other exclaimed popping a nut in.
Mic was on his third beer, and could feel the alcohol finally taking slight effect on him. It'd be quite a few more bottles before he could get thoroughly drunk though. Yet, he reminded himself that this would be his last, he was driving back, and would get a shelling from Mac if he had too many.
"I'd be telling you to keep your eyes to yourself, Casser, but then when it comes to you, mate…"
The two laughed, then Casser commented, "Hah! Mackenzie…who would have thought…and what's the name of that partner of hers? The one that came up to Aussie that time?"
"Rabb," Mic replied, trying not to show his diminishing smile.
"Ah! That's right. That's the one…what's the story on those two? Old boyfriend or something?"
Mic was used to his friend's characteristic bluntness; didn't mind one bit. He did still feel somewhat of a pinch, but reassured himself that Mac was walking down the isle with him, not Harm.
"Naah…never was. Harm has a girlfriend. He and Sarah have just known each other for a long time."
Long time.
"Mikey! Give me another!"
************
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
Harm and Mac got out of their seats and came to attention, "Aye, aye, Admiral!"
Then picking up their things, they proceeded out, Mac a couple of paces ahead. The tension between the two was apparent enough, except to themselves.
"Mac…"
"What!" she whipped around to face him, startling him to a hasty halt.
"…s-sorry. I was lost there for a while," she tried an apology.
Harm studied her intently before he asked…
**********
Latham's Office
Washington, DC
0134 ZULU
Bobbi closed her eyes to rest them as she felt for the bunch of keys in her handbag. When she had found them, her eyes sheepishly reopened. She groaned at the burning sensation this produce in her dry and tired eyes…not that keeping them open made much of a difference in the darkness, she had to fumble for the keyhole all the same. Finally, she remarked frustratedly when the door clicked open, and she proceeded to grope for the light switch, which didn't take her as long to find.
"He-llo office!" Bobbi mused sarcastically before she let out a short shout when the lights came on.
"Hello, congresswoman."