Beyond the Rivers of Jordan
Book 1: River Crossings
Chapter 4
JAG Internal Network
Log entry no: 20016613
"Then again there are those who require intervention of a divine kind."
User ID: Adm_Chegwidden
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
1107 ZULU
Harm aimlessly followed the stone path, taking in deep numbing breaths of the cold autumn air. He had to admit this dreary weather had its own good effects; his mind felt more invigorated and his anger had more or less subsided to a dull reek. It hurt less, so it supposedly bothered him less. He concentrated on the even rhythm of his steps, trying to find his center once again, but he went past some rose bushes along the side of the building, and as he did, memories of the day they had met came back to him.
Mac. | Harm. | Do you two know each other? | No, sir. | Yes, sir.
He smiled, recalling this mornings' meeting. Sturgis had nearly the same look he had that day.
Sometimes I'd catch you looking at me…I knew you were seeing her.
His face fell, and he could feel the rush of heat rising to the surface of his skin. How much he wanted to tell her, he thought to himself. But it was too late. And deep inside he wished he had taken all the Admiral's advice and applied it from the start.
Don't get too close, you're going to be working together.
Then maybe he would have saved himself all the pain.
Commander, never look back.
He took long strides forward, trying in all futility to not look back.
**********
AJ's Office
AJ looked on at the man in the black trench coat walk a few more paces before settling for the bench beside the tree. He hunched over, rubbing his face with gloved hands. He was obviously putting all he had into steeling himself. AJ sighed empathetically, and then reached for the thin wooden stick at the side of his window, turning it to close the blinds once more. His hands clasped together behind his back as he stepped back to his seat, looking on at the woman in front of his desk. Sometimes he just hated to let things go her way too much, not that he had doubts about her abilities, but her ego just couldn't handle success.
"Lt.," he finally said, "why do I have this feeling that your reasons for bringing all this to my attention has absolutely nothing to do with you're being concerned for the welfare of two other officers?" AJ stated plainly as he put on his glasses and sat down.
"Please don't misunderstand, Admiral…JAG is like a second home to me…I'm genuinely concerned for Col. Mackenzie and Commander Rabb…" Singer replied almost condescendingly.
AJ muttered to himself, then asked matter-of-factly, "Anything else to add, Lt.?"
"No, sir," she answered trying to hide the sense of triumph she felt.
"Very well, then. Dismissed."
"Aye, aye, sir," she straightened and made a sharp turn out.
AJ noted her going, and then shook his head, half amused, but more so disapproving.
"Second home…ha." He commented to himself then pressed the intercom button hard,
"Tiner, find Commander Turner and tell him to be in my office at 1200."
"Yes, Admiral." The voice came through the speaker.
AJ sat back into his seat and lamented. It was going to be a long three weeks.
***********
Meeting Room
Unknown Location
Two men sat at the end of the table, one at the head and the other on his right. The room was well lighted and drinks were already set on a trolley nearby. They were already lightly sipping some scotch, and silently watched the rest enter, the guards having checked them thoroughly before they entered the appointed council room. Each poured their own drink and when he was assured all were comfortable, the man at the dead of the table signaled to the guards, who promptly shut the door behind them, leaving the seven men inside to their private affairs.
"Good morning gentlemen, its good to see you'all alive and kicking."
The other smirked at his rather apt opening, then he continued,
"Shall we begin?"
***********
JAG Headquarters
"Hold the elevator!" Harm yelled as he lunged for the doors, catching them just before they closed completely.
"Mac," he said when the doors reopened to reveal who was inside.
"Erm. Are you coming in?" Mac asked awkwardly.
"Yeah. Sorry," he replied stepping in.
She pressed the button to close the doors once more, then asked, "Which floor?"
"The same, thanks."
There was awkward silence between them, so Harm tried making pointless conversation to pave the way for the main topic,
"So where'd you come from?"
"I er…rescheduled my psych. evaluation for you know."
Don't ask.
"Uh-huh…yeah," Harm acknowledged. She was supposed to have her psych. evaluation for her Indonesia trip done. Standard procedure whenever they went through traumatic incidents in their work.
"Listen, about just now, I didn't mean to…you know…" he tried to muster a peace offering.
She stopped him before he could build it up to an apology, "It's okay. I know."
Don't ask.
"So. You and me, we're okay?" he asked.
"Why wouldn't we be?" she answered curtly.
Stop asking.
"And you're okay?" he probed further.
Let me in.
"I'm handling it," she replied, agitated.
Stop it.
"You sure you don't want to talk?" he asked again, making Mac grow impatient.
"Harm. I'm handling it…" she raised her voice a little, stabbing the elevator buttons as though to make it go faster.
Stop asking!
Don't shut me out.
"Can I at least stop by your office, later?" he persisted which made her snap.
"Harm, I said I'm handling it!" she shouted.
"No you're not, Mac, you're running, so what's going on?" Harm raised his voice, "Does it have to do with you being late this morning?"
Stop asking me!
"Why do we have to get into this every time I get into an elevator coming up from the psych. floor? Do I have like a sign that says I need help?"
"As I recall you wanted to talk the last time!"
"Well I don't want to now!"
"What happened, Mac? Let me in, tell me how you're feeling!"
"Pressured!" she shouted back.
The elevator doors began to open once more, cutting off their heated row.
Why are you doing this?
Because I said I would.
"Harm, Colonel Mackenzie!" Sturgis exclaimed, as he and Harriet stepped into the elevator. He couldn't help but feel affected once again by her semblance to Diane.
"Something wrong, Commander?" Mac asked, hinting her displeasure at being blatantly stared at.
"I'm sorry, Col., its just you look so much like em…"
"It's okay, Sturgis, she knows about Diane," Harm interjected.
"I apologise, Col.," Sturgis said to Mac, then turned around to press the elevator buttons.
Harriet felt uncomfortable. Tensions were thick inside the small space, so she was glad she and Sturgis were getting off on the next floor, but she half-wondered what had sparked off another fire.
"Mac…" she said, full of concern for the other, "…so I'll see you tonight?"
Mac tried to nod back with a small smile, guilty at having imposed her frustration on the two, especially Harriet. The other gave her a look of concern as the doors closed leaving her and Sturgis on the outside.
Aren't you happy for you?
**********
JAG Headquarters
"We haven't finished talking yet!" Harm called after Mac who didn't wait for the doors to open fully before storming out towards her office.
She wanted to shout back at him but she controlled herself so as not to draw attention to themselves. Mac was turning the doorknob when Harm stopped beside her, demanding a reply.
"I have nothing to say to you!" she snapped before going in and trying to slam the door in his face. Harm slapped his palm up against the moving wooden panel, making a sound that stunned not just Mac, but everyone else around, causing them focus on the commotion.
Harm groaned then mumbled under his breath, "Look, listen to me…I didn't mean to push…I'm worried…so I…"
Mac got more irritated as he tried to smooth over the situation. As hard as he tried, it confused her all the more, and she finally told him, "Harm, Just leave me alone! That's more than enough."
And she closed the door in his face. Harm couldn't believe she had done that to him, while onlookers hurriedly got back to their business when he turned to glare at all of them.
Harm looked across to the room opposite his, and he didn't know whether he was more furious or more hurt. He noticed that Mac had shut the blinds on her windows and stared blankly at the closed door, wondering whether or not to barge in and shake the information out of her, but his imagination of what lay beyond the wooden separator only led back to the other night, and he turned to go back into his own office, shutting the door behind him.
I don't want to lose you.
*********
Meeting Room
Unknown Location
"Are you certain it's for the best to intervene?"
There were six men, three on each side of the table. The one who spoke carried a heavy Irish accent with his words, and was known to most only as 'Kritt'. His full name was Kristophe De'von.
Then another voiced, "Can we afford not to intervene?"
He was Yong Mung Kut, otherwise known as Ni Yong.
Others at the table began muttering amongst themselves, expressing their onions and concerns. They were: Ramone Elugio, commonly known as Nilo, Mason R. Beckam, also known as James Shire, Nehemiah Yesser, otherwise known as Caleb.
***********
JAG Headquarters
1155 ZULU
"Commander Turner,"
Sturgis looked up from his conversation with Harriet and smiled jokingly, "Ah, your husband."
"Sorry to interrupt, sir," Bud apologized.
"Oh not at all, Lt., your wife was just done showing me around, you've quite the lady here, Bud," Sturgis complemented, causing both Bud and Harriet to smile gratefully.
"Thank you, sir," Bud replied, then got down to it, "Commander, I was wondering if you could give me another day to move my things out."
"Move out? What's that got to do with me?" Sturgis asked completely puzzled.
"Oh! Your office, Commander," Harriet explained, "I was going to take you to see it after your meeting with the Admiral…"
"So why the moving?" he asked further.
"You see, sir, " Bud filled him in, "the only other office available is my old one…"
"And its really quite crammed…" Harriet added.
"Pipes and stuff all over the ceiling…" Bud continued.
"Real unsightly, sir," Harriet concluded the description.
"…The moving, Lt?" Sturgis asked again.
"Oh! Sorry, Sir," Bud apologized again, "I'm going to move my stuff back there and let you have the bigger office."
"Ah…" Sturgis responded.
"Hey, what's going on here, Buddy?" Harm walked towards them with a file in hand. He placed his other arm over Sturgis' shoulder.
Sturgis replied, "The Lt. here was about to give me his office…"
"Well, sir, its only right…" Bud explained, then turned to Harm, "Its that room, sir."
Harm nodded understanding, then looked at Sturgis to see his response. The other looked thoughtful for a moment, then glanced at both Bud and Harriet,
"Pipes and stuff, huh?"
The couple nodded.
"Small and cramped?" he asked for further confirmation.
They nodded somemore, then studied him curiously as he smiled at Harm.
Sturgis looked back at Bud and replied, "Lt. why don't you keep your office? I think I'm going to like the other one a lot better." Then he started towards AJ's office.
Harm stifled a laugh at Bud and Harriet's total bewilderment and explained casually as he followed after his friend,
"The Commander was a submariner…"
**********
Meeting Room
Unknown Location
The sixth amongst them said nothing, but in bid to quiet them down he looked to his left towards the man who sat next to him at the head of the table. He cleared his throat, "Ahem…"
The rest quietened down and turned respectfully to the head. The man had his chair turned away from them, and the back of his head blocked by the tall backrest. Thoughtful silence was observed as he held the small silver cross to his lips unmoving. Then he spoke,
"We will intervene only as much as is necessary...it's not the first time we are attempting an operation of such magnitude…"
"But each operation is never the same, there are many variables…" Ni Yong reminded them.
"Which is precisely why we have to keep a low profile …" another interrupted him.
"But bear in mind…" Ni Yong started another objection.
"Alright, alright, enough," the man at the head of the table calmed them, and referred to the man on his right, "You have made the arrangements, Sokol?"
"As well as can be done," Mark Falcon answered.
"Then all that's left to do now is to see how the game plays out," the man stated plainly to the rest, "There's no sense anticipating what can't be anticipated and we've covered all that can be."
"But is that all?" Ni Yong questioned again.
"Unless you have a better idea…" Mark began to get irritated by the other's aggressiveness.
"I said enough!" the old man raised his voice, letting go of the small treasure he was holding on to. The silver cross draped from his chain onto his chest, and he turned his chair around to focus solely on Ni Yong. Diplomatically, he asked, "You question the course of action?"
Ni Yong locked eyes with him as he clarified his stand, "No…"
"Then you question my ability to carry out the course of action?"
A thick silence came over the room, as usually was when it came down to a confrontation with the jealous Ni Yong. On one hand his behavior could be such a pain, on the other hand they felt they knew him well enough to know he would never play out his grudge of losing the seat to the other. In some sense, he was like a stabilizing factor for the group, insurance so things never got too easy for any one of them. The thorn in the flesh had its place.
**********
AJ's Office
"You have a problem with my decision, Col.?" AJ eyed her carefully.
"No, sir," she replied.
Sturgis felt utterly uncomfortable at the vibes pulsing between the two…Mac looked like she was going to walk over and gun Harm down for what just happened, and Sturgis just couldn't comprehend why. He noticed the Admiral hadn't shown much reaction towards all this, so he figured this was supposed to be normal, but why it was normal? Only God could know, he concluded. AJ looked at Sturgis silently advised, get used to it, son. But all proceedings were soon interrupted by the voice that came through the door.
"Admiral!"
AJ stood, as did Harm and Mac, so Sturgis followed.
"Good morning, Ma'am," the three officers stood aside to allow her space as she walked in. Bobbi quickly assessed that she had probably walked in at a less than favorable time, but scarcely let it affect her intentions.
"Congresswoman, to what do I owe the great honor of this visit?" AJ asked with his usual tone, the one laced with sarcasm. Every time this woman waltzed in you could anticipate a media riot at your doorstep the very next morning, he remarked to himself. Nevertheless, AJ had to admit she was all in all a good person, one those you just hated to love.
"I'm sorry Admiral, was I interrupting?" Bobbi mused.
"Would it make a difference if I said 'yes'?" he answered.
AJ sighed then turned her attention to Sturgis, "Congresswoman, this is our newest addition to JAG, Commander Sturgis Turner. Commander, Congresswoman Bobbi Latham."
"Commander."
"Nice to meet you, Ma'am."
The two did indeed notice one another, but Sturgis made and effort to conceal it well in font of his superior. Bobbi on the other hand was quite her usual self, which came as no surprise to the others in the room.
"Have a seat, Ma'am," AJ motioned roughly at the chairs in front of desk, and Sturgis quickly moved help Bobbi get seated before pulling up another chair. As they got settled, Bobbi took the chance to observe Harm and Mac. They were a pair that never ceased to intrigue her.
Mac likes you.
She'd like to wring my neck.
I get that feeling a couple of times a day, Commander, but it passes.
She concluded that nothing had changed.
***********
Meeting Room
Unknown Location
With no one speaking up to challenge the head, it was clear that all had reached a consensus, even if some more satisfied with the outcome then not. So the finally drew the meeting to a close, and the others left.
"Should I prepare for your departure?" Mark finally enquired.
"Push back departure for two more days. I'd like to stay here and monitor the situation more closely," the man replied, and rose to stand by the window.
Mark looked on knowingly, and then moved from his seat to put his cup on the tray nearby.
***********
Mess Room
The petty officer nearly breezed right past, but stopped in his tracks and came in.
"Ma'am," he addressed her.
"Mm....yes, Tiner?" Harriet hurriedly swallowed the mouth of coffee and looked up.
"…Sorry, sir, am I interrupting…?" he asked glancing at the two seated in front of him.
"Oh, don't worry…" Harriet waved the inquiry off, " we're just having our coffee break…what's up?"
"Ma'am, I don't know if you heard…"
"About the Messenger Scholarship?" she finished for him.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"I did actually…" she gleamed, "Congratulations!"
"Yes, Congratulations, Tiner, " Bud agreed with her.
"Thank you, Sir, Ma'am…" he replied, then went on, "Actually Ma'am, its what I wanted to see you about…I wanted to say 'thank you'-"
"For what, Tiner?" she held the cup to her lips to take another sip.
"For…you know, Ma'am…"
"Hmm…? OH! …Oh!" she exclaimed, choking on her coffee, resulting in much concern from both men.
"Harriet, are you alright?" Bud stood to pat her back.
"…I'm…oh-kay, honey…" she strained, and coughed some more.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am…" Tiner watched apologetically.
"…It's quite alright, Tiner…you didn't do anything…" she assured him.
Harriet took deep breaths to quell the situation and Bud sat back down to his coffee. After a few moments, she returned to Tiner,
"What was I saying then…oh yes! No need to thank me, Tiner, I didn't do anything."
"But you did, Ma'am…" he said, "You have no idea how- how incredible this is for me, I'm finally showing people that I'm worth something…I'm finally doing something with my life! I'm doing something right!"
"Tiner, I'm sure your dad is proud of you as you are…" Harriet responded.
Deep inside, Tiner couldn't accept that, but he was genuinely grateful to them, and said it once more, "Thank you, Ma'am."
Harriet simply sighed, and nodded in acknowledgement.
"Would you thank him for me, Ma'am?" he asked.
"Why don't you thank him yourself, Tiner?" she replied.
Bud had been quietly drinking his coffee, but when Tiner was crossing the threshold he whispered to Harriet, "What was that about?"
Before she could answer, the petty officer turned again to repeat himself, drawing their attentions, "Ma'am, Thank you."
"For what this time, Tiner?" she asked, puzzled.
"For believing that I was worth something."
Harriet felt almost sad that he had said that, but put her hand on Bud's.
"You're worth a lot more than something, Tiner…we all believe that."
He smiled in return, and repeated the same words, but this time not just to her.
**************
Meeting Room
Unknown Location
"Do you think he was right?" the old man asked, not moving from his place by the window.
Mark turned around to look at the other man, but tried to avoid the question,
"I trust you…"
"That was not my question," the other pointed out.
Mark twitched mildly, and then he answered again, "…his concerns are not unfounded."
The other cleared his throat, nodding, "I agree."
"You're worried then that you won't follow through?" Mark was taken aback by his response, and wanted an explanation.
The other man laughed and returned to his seat, using one hand to massage the stiffness in his shoulder. Mark quickly came to the table to pursue the matter, "tell me…" his eyes fixated on the old man.
His hair was nearly all silver, except for the few strands of black that made an appearance here and there. He looked ten years younger than he really was; and was pretty strong for his age they made sure of that. Perhaps the only thing that could give him away was the tired look he got in his eyes every now and then, the look of a man who had experienced countless adversities and near impossibilities, enough to rival the trials of many men put together. But that was one secret kept well under lock and key, maybe the only one who could pick up its fleeting appearance was him. His thumb rubbed absently against a scar near his collarbone. It was one of four, the proof their lifelong covenant with one another.
"I thought you said you trusted me," he joked with the younger, who groaned in frustration, unsatisfied with the answer he had given to him.
"Godfather…"
The old man smiled more so, but continued with a serious word,
"If I could I would have kept you from this life."
Mark sighed and looked down. The other continued, "Mark, your parents would have done the same if they could…"
"I know," he said quietly.
The older man took his hand from his shoulder and briefly placed it on Mark, "Bring me my cane will you?"
His godson obeyed.
"Well then, what should we have for lunch?" he got out of his seat, rambling as Mark helped him with the trench coat, "You decide…" he said to Mark, "but none of that fast food rubbish…one morning at that grease joint was more than enough to last two lifetimes!"
Mark laughed at his grumbling and handed him the elegant wooden cane; it was stained near black and very finely finished. The tip was plated gold, so was the handle on the head; which had a small section of glass in its neck, a ring cast inside. He had gone to great lengths to retrieve that ring, and had the cane specially made. He knew how much the old man had kept it in memory all those years.
His godfather held it up for a moment, appreciating it as he had done so many times before in the past decade, and he gripped Mark's shoulder firmly, expressing silent gratitude once again.
"Godfather…" Mark asked one more time, wanting his assurance.
The man looked at him with understanding, but wouldn't lie.
"I trust you."
*************
AJ's Office
"Admiral, my congratulations to your officers for a job well done on the recent trial," the congresswoman said.
"With all due respect, Ma'am, we lost that trial, and put a good corporal away for five years," Mac disagreed.
"Ah, you lose the bigger picture Col., you've certainly stirred doubts towards some fellows up in Washington…you lost one man, but gained the support of a nation…"
"And good American voters, Ma'am?" Harm added sarcastically.
"Perks on the side, Harm," Bobbi defended coolly.
"Bobbi," AJ intervened before things got out of hand, "…you didn't come here to compliment my people on a case…"
"Of course not, I came to ask if I might borrow your two pin-up kids for a dinner tomorrow night."
The look of dread came over Harm and Mac as they both tried to think of an excuse to get out of this impending predicament.
"Another one of your campaign stops, Congresswoman?" AJ remarked
"It is to your benefit, Admiral, and you know it," Bobbi gloated.
He sighed, and was about to give them his go ahead, but Mac interrupted, "Er, Admiral…"
"Mac, yes. I forget. Ma'am I'm afraid you're going to have to do without the Col. seeing as she has preparations to make for her wedding," AJ amended.
"Ah yes, of course! Congratulations, Sarah, I'm sure you can't wait for the day to arrive," Bobbi said, her eyes narrowing slightly to see beyond the surface of Mac's reply.
"Definitely, Ma'am," definitely, Mac answered, trying to convince herself.
Bobbi smirked, then remarked, "Batman loses Robin…I lose half the voting population that thrives on testosterone," hiding the intended provocation behind supposed humor. She looked for a response, then knowing she had hit a home run on that one, she continued, "but what can I say, women's rights is just another fancy dress you and I wear out in public, at the end of the day every woman wants what you want, Mac, even me."
"And what might that be, Congresswoman?" Harm asked, hiding his discomfort.
A good man, a good career and lots of comfortable shoes?
Bobbi smirked cheekily inside, then replied, "That's for us women to know and you to go find out, Commander. They don't call women lifelong mysteries for nothing, huh, Mac?"
Mac shifted uneasily as Harm's gaze fell on her, giving Bobbi Latham a less than enthusiastic acknowledgment. Everyone noticed.
"But, coming back to my dinner…since the Col. can't make it, why don't you come along, Commander? You can be my…personal security." Bobbi flashed him a dark, lingering look.
In a few short sentences, Congresswoman Bobbi Latham had managed to breakdown the hidden schematics behind the relationship of two of his senior attorneys', provoking them enough for him to start anticipating a big hiccup some time soon, seduced his newest addition into becoming her next pin up boy, and reduced Rabb's ego to a peanut. Of all three he was most impressed with the last. The woman had the impeccable knack of 'catching a bull by its balls', no pun intended. He had to concede that this was the demarcation that set a politician a step above lawyers. At least when it came to this politician, AJ remarked silently. And just when he thought he had been spared, Bobbi got to him.
"I would invite you, Admiral, but I don't want to come across as trying too hard…"
He didn't even spot it coming when she continued, "and there's a chance you might end up costing me… you know politicians, egotistical males..."
"Excuse me, Ma'am? I'm not sure I get you," AJ asked, despite anticipating an upcoming massacre round the next corner.
"Oh. Were you not informed,
Admiral?" Bobbi replied matter-of-factly, "After all those widely-publicized
trials, you topped this years' list of America's Most Desirable Men, poll among
women aged 35 – 55yrs. You beat Sean Connery by a narrow 3 points…"
He nearly fell over.
"I told you this was to your benefit," she mocked.
***********
Daniel Chang's
Kensington Blvd
"da-ge (Older brother)!"
"di-di (Younger brother)…" the other responded bittersweet.
"You're looking good for an old man…"
"Speak for yourself, Nathan," the restaurant owner replied.
Mark watched the two old men embrace before taking the hand Daniel Chang extended after.
"Mark."
"Daniel."
"I see all is well with you," the Chinese man said, "…and with your godfather."
"Careful Bane, we don't want that getting round," Mark joked respectfully, calling the man by his alias.
"I won't tell if you don't…" the other returned. Then the elderly man turned to the waiter standing at the entrance of the restaurant, speaking in a tongue the other two both recognized as Hakka, one of many Chinese dialects. The waiter listened intently and then nodded in understanding before speaking into the microphone headset he was wearing.
"You run a tight ship, Daniel…" the old man complimented.
"I have important guests," he reasoned, and motioned for them to follow, "Come, I've prepared a room at the back."
The restaurant was elegant, comfortable. Guests who came to Daniel Chang's restaurant fell into one of two categories, 'rich' or 'filthy rich'. Usually, the common denominator in the two…was the word 'powerful'. This posh and lavish establishment was patronized only by the select few. Aristocrats and rich officials, and a few famous stars maybe, here and there. Fact of the matter: if you wanted to talk politics, this was the place. Many were top men and women from various fields of industry, commerce and government, people who were key elements of influence across the board. Daniel retained some of the top chefs in the world, but would occasionally bringing in one or two not on staff upon request, if he felt it was safe.
"We missed you today, sir," Mark made some casual conversation when he was sure no one would take notice.
"Did you really?" the other replied raising an eye-brow, "I'm sure life was a lot easier."
Mark smiled with nothing in reply, he knew the former was referring to Ni Yong, and he continued following closely behind the two elders, relaxing himself in the safety of the establishment. It was seldom he could just let lose and not have to have his guard up, the owner more than made sure of that. His godfather was the one who kept up an observant eye, noticing the waitress who breezed past them as they headed towards the room, and he approved of Daniel's expertise.
"I see you haven't lost it, Nathan," Daniel remarked casually.
"I appreciate what is there," Nathan replied.
Mark listened to the two but said nothing. His godfather had obviously identified one of Bane's agents. Daniel Chang was renowned for churning out only the very best operatives, exceptional in every way that even the most experienced would sometimes not be able to single them out. The man had a delicate hand, an amazing ability to assess the intricate layers of an operation, and to balance its sensitive scales, yet he preferred to apply it primarily to training others. He had been Director to the previous Oversight, and even with how easily he could have ascended into that position when the former KIA-ed, he did not covet the power. Instead, he had mentored and prepared Nathan for the post, which angered Ni Yong, who was then already in one of the seats of Operations, and was known to be the best at his job. Nathan proved a terrible upset, a lowly operative who was raised up overnight and put into the hot seat.
"I shall have to have some words with Darryl when she gets back," Daniel told Nathan.
"I had a good teacher, Daniel," Nathan reminded him.
"I had a good student," he rebutted.
Nathan sighed, and tipped his head, agreeing not to pursue the matter further. As the door was opened for them, he recognized the rich, spicy flavor that filled his nostrils, and he smiled in contentment.
"How did you have time?" he looked wonderingly at the other.
"I expected that you might stop by," Daniel replied.
Nathan let out a knowing laugh, and then crossed the threshold shaking his head, "You know me all too well."
***********
JAG Headquarters
"As a marine I thought you'd appreciate some time up in Quantico!"
"As an aviator I thought you'd appreciate some fresh air!"
The three had just stepped out of the Admiral's office. In all honesty Sturg wanted to laugh at what had just gone down inside between the Admiral and Congresswoman Latham, but he was too preoccupied by the cross fire going on between his colleagues as they headed toward their offices.
"Hey look here! I did not make the call! The Admiral did!" Harm reasoned.
"Oh sure! I'm sure you had nothing to do with it!" Mac shouted, "You sandbagged me, Harm! Just like you've sandbagged me before and will probably do again!"
Mac closed the door of her office, leaving Harm on the other side yet another time, taken aback by her last statement. He looked more defeated than anything as he groaned, retreating to the confines of his own office, closing the door on Sturgis' face before the latter could follow him in.
"Incredulous," Sturg grumbled to himself before letting himself in.
Harm was leaning against the table, and looked up wondering what the other was doing in his office, but then he saw the file in his hands and remembered,
"I'm sorry, man! I…" he couldn't find the words, so flayed his arms letting them flop heavily over the armrests.
Sturg closed the door and just stood for some time, thinking.
"Harm," he finally said, "I can see this isn't the best time. Why don't we just do this tomorrow?"
"No, no…" he motioned when Harm tried to persuade him otherwise, "I've got to settle in first anyway…" and he turned to leave.
"Sturg," Harm stopped him, "About just now…"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"This thing with Mac and I…we're just in a weird place right now, so don't let it bother you, alright?"
Sturg paused, then nodded, "Okay," and turned to leave.
Harm studied him, then mumbled, "Its bothering you…"
Sturg shifted the door back into its frame and replied, "I don't even know what you're talking about." Do you want to tell me something, buddy? He looked at Harm intently.
"Well, you were sensing something…"
"Tension…"
"There you go."
"I don't know anything about your relationship…doesn't mean anything to me," Sturgis replied, trying to tell Harm 'you don't have to tell me if you two are involved'. Harm on the other hand interpreted it as 'I know you two are involved even if you don't say', and began digging his own grave much to Sturgis' amusement.
"Right. Just don't assume anything alright?"
"Like what?" Sturg probed.
"Like…n-nothing!" Harm defended, "…whatever you're thinking, you're probably wrong!"
"If you say so, buddy," and Sturg pretended to go for the door once more. He was hoping Harm would tell more…he wasn't disappointed and grinned mischievously.
"Mac and I are just friends!" Harm let out agitatedly.
"Now I didn't say you weren't," he said.
"I know…" Harm tried to back up.
"Is there reason to believe otherwise?" Sturg stepped toward him.
"No…" Harm acted, going to the metal cabinet and pulling out a case file that he'd dealt with a year back.
"Cos you seem to be suggesting…" Sturg closed in.
"I'm not suggesting anything…" he flipped into the file nervously, pretending to be reading the content.
"Were you ever a couple?"
By now Sturg was just behind him, breathing down his neck and it made him jump.
"No," he tried to hide.
"Did it ever come up?"
Harm faked distraction and walked towards the door wanting to get out.
"Harm, are you involved with her?"
"I'm not!" Harm swung round holding the door slightly ajar.
"You sure?" Sturg questioned, unbelieving.
"Look," Harm said opening the door and getting ready to run, "Anyone who has ever been involved with Mac is either dead or feels like they are…"
His breath left him.
"Excuse me…" she whispered painfully, her hands still holding on to a file in mid-air as she walked away.
Sturgis straightened from leaning on the table feeling terrible, but had to admit to himself, maybe only half of what Harm was feeling.
"I'd better go," he uttered, and eased his way past Harm and the door.
Harm closed the door after him, and finally remembered to exhale, still stunned by what had happened.
***********
Daniel Chang's
1324 ZULU
Nathan lifted the napkin to his lips and carefully dabbed, "Fantastic…"
"You flew him all the way here?" Mark asked.
"He arrived last Saturday…I estimated it would be well in time," Daniel replied.
Nathan sighed and asked, "Am I becoming that predictable?"
All was quiet for a while, so Mark took the cue and began getting up from his seat, buttoning his blazer, "I'll leave you two alone."
"Take Mr. Falcon to the private lounge," Daniel instructed the waiter standing by the door. The young man quickly obeyed, picking up Mark's trench coat and showing him out. Then he turned to Nathan,
"Come, there is much to discuss."
Nathan followed him out as well.
***********
Harm's Office
Bobbi knocked lightly on the doorframe when he didn't notice her come in. He was deep in thought.
"Mind if I come in?" she said.
Harm looked up and then stood quickly, "Congresswoman! Please come in…have a seat"
Bobbi closed the door and could feel the atmosphere shift gears. Protocol and hierarchy - it was a façade that had to be kept for the motor to run smoothly, but once in a while, when no one was looking, you could indulge yourself and take down the mask momentarily. Harm came around between her and his table, half sitting on it.
"Not in congress with the nation's most desirable man?" he joked.
"He couldn't wait to get me out of the room," she winked back.
Harm laughed and then replied, "You asked for it you know…"
"Can I help the fact that the ladies take to him? Besides, don't lie, Harm, you men revel in the attention," Bobbi defended coyly.
"Are you accusing us men of false humility?" he feigned hurt.
"Oh no, just the Admiral, Harm. In your case you revel shamelessly!" she commented, making both of them laugh, and Harm raise his hands in mock-surrender.
"So, poster boy. What's the scoop?"
"The scoop?" Harm looked back at her quizzically.
"Yeah," Bobbi coaxed, "…the latest report on Batman and Robin."
Harm sighed, and answered, "What's there to report? You heard, she's getting married."
"And you're okay with that?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Bobbi, there's nothing going on between me and Mac…" Harm defended.
"So you both say," she quipped.
"…I'm with Renee," he managed to point out
"If you say so…" she antagonized him, just like Sturgis.
"You're all in cahoots," he muttered softly so only he could hear.
"What?" she strained to understand his words.
"Bobbi," he revised the conversation, "I don't have to explain myself to you."
"But maybe you need to explain it to you," she followed his lead.
Harm rolled his eyes and then replied, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you being in love with someone and not telling her…" Bobbi set the trap…
"I'm not in love with, Mac!" he walked right in…
"Did I say I was talking about, Mac?"
Bingo.
Shit.
"Talk to her, Harmon."
"She's getting married in three weeks!" he replied in frustration.
"So?"
"So I already ruined her first attempt and I'm not about to ruin her second!"
"What makes you think her second attempts' better off not-ruined? …Talk to her."
Harm breathed, then replied, "I tried that once…"
"And?" she implored.
"And she made her choice."
Bobbi sighed sheepishly, and wondered how it was possible for them to keep foiling up something as simple as this, "So why then? Why'd she make that choice?"
Harm didn't answer, so Bobbi answered for him,
"Because she's waited. You think a woman can afford to wait around for one man forever? What are you afraid of? And don't tell me it'll ruin your professional relationship…"
Harm thought for a while, trying to think of a remotely relevant rebuttal, and groaned when he couldn't.
He replied, "I…"
"Go on…" she encouraged him.
Harm went quiet, them somberly replied, "It wouldn't work out. I'd lose her altogether, and that'll hurt more than it does now."
Bobbi sighed, and then put one hand on his, her lips curving slightly, "Harm, you can't always be in control, the world don't work that way, sailor…relationships don't work that way."
She sighed, and advised, "Stop running…she couldn't reject you even if she wanted to. You're too quick for her."
Harm laughed sadly, "Is this supposed to be comforting?" he mused, then added, "You know you could be wrong about all this."
Bobbi ignored him and persuaded one last time, "Talk to her."
Then she got up and started out the door, "Just a tip, Commander, a woman's 'no' doesn't necessarily always mean 'no'."
"You're all walking contradictions," he lamented.
Bobbi just smiled and plainly stated, "Face it, its what keeps you men interested."
Harm sat on his desk and watched the door click shut.
She was wrong, he convinced himself.
She was wrong.
***************
JAG Headquarters
AJ walked from his door across to a secretary's desk and flipped through the file she handed him sheepishly, better this than Bobbi Latham; he tried to cheer himself out of the boredom he felt. From the corner of his eye he caught Mac going past, and without shifting in the least, he muttered what was meant to be just a casual, passing word,
"How's it going, Col.?"
But the curt reply he got in return caught his attention, and concern, and it was too late for Mac to take it back.
"I'm sorry, sir," she apologized for her behavior.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah…everything's fine…" she looked away from him.
"Good," he obliged.
"We're still meeting for…"
"Yes, sir," Mac replied, feeling uneasy, "erm…"
AJ saw, so motioned her off, "Carry on…"
He let her go. For now.
***********
Daniel Chang's
They went through the kitchen, briefly stopping to greet Marphilando, the chef whom Daniel had specially brought in before proceeding up the staircase to his office. It already had pot of Chinese tea boiling in the small sitting area at the side, and the two men settled opposite to one another.
Daniel ceremoniously rinsed the teacups and poured out the tea.
"Oulong?" Nathan asked.
The other man glanced up at him briefly as he continued pouring, amused by the pronunciation. He answered, "One part ju hua, two parts wu long."
The two men burst into laughter at the same time, and continued laughing as a young girl, no older than six came in with a tray. She had her hair tied up into two pigtails and wore the sweetest smile. Daniel introduced her as she put two bowls of ice cream on the table. Nathan noticed how steady and nimble her hands were, and was able to tell straight away that she had to have started her training. A part of him felt sad for her.
"Nathan, I want you to meet Rou Ying…Zoe…" he corrected much to the other's relief, "My granddaughter."
"Hello, Zoe," Nathan said to the child.
"Xiao Ying," Daniel called her affectionately by her pet name, and continued speaking in mandarin,
"zhe shi Gong-gong de en di hao you (This is grandpa's sworn brother and cherished friend). ta yi qian wei le jiu ni Ba-ba (Once, to save your father), bei song jing jian lao shou ku (he was imprisoned and tortured), cha dian'er diu le xing ming (nearly losing his life). er qie, ta ying wei zhe yang (And in doing so), shi qu le ta zi ji de qin ren (he lost his own family). Shuo yi (That is why), ni zhe yi bei zhi (for the rest of your life), yi ding yao ji de (you must remember): zhe jia shuo qian ta de en qing (the debt of love this household owes him), shi yong yuan ye huan bu qing (we shall never ever be able to make up for). yi hou (In future), ru guo wo huo shi ni Yi-yi bu neng bao da ta de en dian (should I or your aunt fail to repay him the deed), jiu quan kao ni le (it will be all up to you). zi dao le ma (Do you understand)?
"zi dao le (I understand), Gong-gong (grandpa)," the little girl nodded in reply.
"kuai jiao shen 'Yi-gong' (Quick, greet 'granduncle')" he told her.
"Yi-gong (Granduncle)," the little one said to Nathan.
"guai (good girl)," he replied placing his hand on her head and looking towards his friend and mentor, "You didn't need to tell her that, Daniel."
The other smiled and turned to let his granddaughter reply for him, "Yi-gong," Zoe said in a tiny voice, "The two most important things to our family is 'zhen' and 'qin' (''true and steadfast' and 'family and loyalty'). Grandpa says until our family repays the deed, we will forever be bound to you by virtue of debt. But when the debt is removed, what lies to be uncovered is that our two families are bound by love – 'zhen qin' ('true love').
Nathan marveled at the child's maturity of years, and commented, "You've taught her well."
The proud grandfather smiled, then stroked the little one's cheek, "ni zuo de hen hao (You did really well), qu ba (you may go now)."
The little one grinned brightly at her grandfather and then ran out the door.
"It doesn't bother you that she's condemned to this life we lead?" Nathan asked.
The other looked at him pondering, and answered, "It would bother me more if she led a life without values."
"Rou Ying?"
"Gentle yet firm," Daniel explained.
Nathan smiled and nodded, "Green tea…" he said referring to the ice cream.
"I wouldn't serve you anything else if I could help it. Eat…"
The two took the first couple of mouthfuls in silence. Daniel opened the conversation,
"I take it he had much criticize?"
The other shook his head, "Not as much as I'd expected…and his concerns are more than reasonable."
"That is true…you have a hard decision to make."
"This job is a lifetime…it becomes your life. I don't know which is worse, leaving him to the wolves are turning him into one. Ni Yong may have been a better choice…I still hold on emotional ties."
"Ni Yong is ruthless, which is what make him good at his job. Your position requires compassion. A man who feels all the guilt of letting go, but does because it is the right choice."
"This is different."
"No different, just greater a sacrifice."
Nathan sighed, "I'm getting too old for this job…perhaps it is time pass the torch to the younger generation. Has one been identified?"
Daniel shook his head and answered, "They are all restless. Too eager. And Mark, he still has some way to go, but you and I both know he's in his place. He knows it too."
'Mm…" the other agreed, "And yours?"
"Ha! Impulsive and bull-headed…"
"I find it hard to believe one pupil can be such a struggle to you."
The two men laughed and Daniel replied, "As you said, I'm an old man. I can only take her so far. But her path is inevitable. She'll have to learn."
"As I did…" Nathan remarked.
"Yes," Daniel stated, "Hoist the young bird from its nest and it must learn to fly."
"Hmm…" the other grunted absently.
"You need to let go…you can't try to control what's not yours to control. Do what you can, let fate decide the rest."
"Does it ever get easier?"
"No, it doesn't, you only put yourself through more pain fighting what is the mantle of your destiny, I believe you are more than familiar with what I mean," Daniel pointed out.
Nathan brought the hot tea to his lips, feeling the queer sensation it produced on his cold tongue.
"Mmm…I do…I certainly do."
**********