Title: Chapter 5: Unfinished Business
Author: Nala (nala@fanfiction.net)
Disclaimers in Part 1.
1 week later
CIA headquarters
Clayton Webb's office (and of course his POV**)
I know everyone thinks I'm wasting my time, but I have managed to get a copy of every passport or Visa request out of Iraq for the last year that Mac has been missing. My gut still tells me that she's out there somewhere. As I flip through to the last one I almost can't believe what I'm looking at. My eyes are tired and I have to rub them to clear my vision. That has to be Mac. Her hair is longer and there is something different in her eyes, but I know that has to be her. As I look closer at the name, I realize she's kept the same first name that I gave her, but her last name is different. Raihan, where do I know that name? I flip frantically through my files and stop in shock as I realize she is married to Sheik Raihan's only son, Jabir. Holy shit, Mac! What happened? How did you end up married, to him? I debate about calling the Admiral, but I need to confirm for myself that it's really her first. After what I have put them through, I'm not going to get their hopes up unnecessarily. Her Visa says she should be in Kuwait 4 more days. Plenty of time I tell myself as I grab a few items and make arrangements for transportation to Kuwait.
Next day
Kuwait City
I'm exhausted and I haven't slept in over 48 hours, the last 4 of which have included sitting across from the hotel Mac is supposedly staying at. My vision sharpens as I see a man exit the building that matches Jabir's photo. He has a woman with him but all that damn clothing makes it hard to tell if it's Mac. I take up a good pace behind them and watch the couple together. As soon as I hear her voice I know its her, even as she speaks in Arabic. I am amazed at how good her Arabic is as she flawlessly talks with Jabir, but then I guess it has been over 20 months since this damn operation started. I keep following them; waiting for my chance to let Mac know that I'm here. As I stay just behind them I'm starting to get concerned. I've seen couples in love and I've seen the best agents faking it. I know how to tell the difference. As I watch, it's obvious to me that Mac and Jabir are in love. I watch carefully for signs that she is just playing along, but there aren't any. The look in her eyes and the soft smile she gets when he talks to her is convincing proof. It's not just Mac either. Jabir is completely taken with her. Warning bells start to go off in my mind and I wonder if somehow Mac has been turned. I feel guilty for even thinking it, but I've seen a lot of stranger things in my time with the CIA. If I contact her and she's turned my life isn't worth diddly, but I know that I owe her the benefit of the doubt.
I see my opportunity as Jabir moves off to negotiate with a street vendor. Walking up quietly, I softly whisper "Mac". I expected her to tense or something but she doesn't acknowledge me at all. "Mac?" I try again and move to the side of her so that she is aware of my presence. Still no response to her name. I know its her; what the hell is going on? It's my staring that finally gets her attention and I watch as she looks at me and then moves her eyes past. At first I think she doesn't even recognize me but I hear her quietly gasp and look back to me.
She mumbles something to me quietly in Arabic, but my skills aren't that good. She can see the confusion on my face but I can tell she doesn't know what is wrong. As I notice her husband returning, I slip her a tiny piece of paper and walk away. It has my secure # on it with no other identifying information so if its found there shouldn't be too many suspicions raised. I watch from a distance as she kisses Jabir softly and walks into another shop.
The whole experience has me completely freaked out. First she doesn't recognize her own name and then she mumbles at me in Arabic like I should understand her. I know strange things happen to your identity when you're undercover this long, but seeing it happen to someone you know is unsettling. I idly wonder if she will even contact me. Damn, what if she doesn't? What does that mean?
Given what I've seen, I'm dreading the call to AJ. What if I've found her just to expose her as a traitor?
About the same time {ignore the whole time zone thing, will ya? =0) }
JAG HQ
Admiral Chegwidden's office
Admiral's POV***
"Rabb, what the hell were you thinking going after a 2 star like that?" As I'm chewing him out for his stunt yesterday in the courtroom I know I am silently grateful that he even pulled it. It might mean that I have my top lawyer back. Since Mac has been gone, he has been withdrawn, barely doing his duty at work. I really thought that we lost him after she was declared MIA and we had the memorial service. As I begin to yell at him more Tiner buzzes through.
"Tiner, I thought I told you to hold my calls."
"Yes sir, but its Webb and he says its urgent Admiral." Tiner's statement gets my attention as well as Rabb's. "Put him through Tiner."
"Webb, what the hell do you want? If you think I am going to lend you any other officers for your damn missions you are out of your mind." That felt good. I have wanted to do worse to him more than once since Mac disappeared. The only satisfaction I got was giving him the black eye when he told me that Mac had gone missing.
I put him on speakerphone just to irritate him but his words shock the hell out of me.
"AJ, I've found her. I found Mac."
Rabb and I instantaneously start hammering him with questions.
"Just listen to me. I'm in Kuwait and she is here. uh, visiting."
"Visiting? What the hell do you mean she is there visiting. You make it sound like she's on vacation."
"Well, actually she is."
I stare at Rabb not knowing what to think about Webb's revelation. Before I can respond he drops the next bombshell.
"We've got a problem. She's married to Sheik Raihan's son, Jabir. AJ, I've watched them and they're completely in love with each other. It's no act. He's in love with her too. It's obvious."
I can hear the unspoken words. Webb thinks Mac has been turned. I look across my desk at Rabb who is at a complete loss. I'm not sure which was the worst for him to hear. That she's in love, married, or whom she is married to. I'm not sure he has even caught onto what Webb didn't say.
"Webb, are you telling me what I think you are?"
"I don't know for sure, but when I approached her on the street today she didn't even respond to her name. I had to practically get in front of her before she realized who I was. Then she mumbled something to me in Arabic, but she knows that I don't speak more than a few words. It was like she didn't even realize I wouldn't understand. I don't think she even knew she wasn't speaking English to me."
I watch as Rabb picks up on what Webb is inferring. "Webb, there is no way that Mac is working for them. How can you even think that?"
"I'm not accusing her of anything, Rabb. But I know a problem when I see one and this is a problem. I was able to slip her my secured cell # but I honestly don't know if she will even call. Rabb, she is different now. It's been almost 2 years; you have to understand that being undercover that long can be very confusing. I barely recognized her myself."
I watch as Rabb tries to process everything that Webb has told him. I know what he is talking about. Long-term deep undercover ops can completely destroy a person's identity.
I know what he's going to ask as he looks up at me. "Go ahead. Make arrangements and meet Webb ASAP."
"Webb, give Rabb the information that he needs to find you." I listen as they make arrangements for Rabb to leave in just a few hours. As I watch Rabb leave, I pray that what Webb suspects isn't true. I think her death would be easier to handle than her betrayal.
2 hours later
Kuwait Hotel
Jabir and Amirah's room
Mac's (Amirah) POV***
I can't believe that Webb found me. My mind races trying to understand how, but I'm just thankful. He had the strangest look on his face though. And he never responded to my question, but I guess he didn't have time. I stare at the paper. I know its his cell # and I know he is waiting for my call. What I don't know is why I am hesitating to contact him. This is what I have wanted for the last 20 months, right? To go back home? Or have I found 'home' with Jabir? The fact that I am struggling with this decision scares me. At the very least I am a deserter if I don't go back. I've been willing to give up my life for my country, but now I'm being asked to give up the man I love. Can I do this?
I don't have time to wonder as Jabir returns from his meeting. I can see that he is upset, but he never talks about his business with me. I watch as he takes off his jacket and lays next to me on the bed.
"Jabir, what's wrong?" I wait in silence. My eyes close as he traces his finger across my face. I can feel the need in his touch. I scoot closer to him and ask him again what is bothering him. I hear his sigh as he mumbles that his father has planned to buy weapons from the Russians again. I instantly become alert. Damn it, I should have known his father wouldn't give up but selfishly I didn't want to have to deal with it. I know that I have to pass this along and when I do I will betray Jabir as well as his father. I can't help the tear that trails down the side of my face. He gently wipes it away.
"Amirah, I tried to reason with him once again. But he is determined to see this through." I lay here trying to think of a way to ask when the purchase will be made, but everything seems too obvious. Unless... "Jabir, do you think you will have time to talk to him again before he does this?" He carefully considers my question, but shrugs helplessly. "I don't think it would make a difference even if I had a 1000 years to tell him of all the good I saw in America. No, Amirah. Tomorrow night he will buy death for many Americans." I know better than to try and get him to tell me where the meeting is supposed to take place. When and who will have to be good enough for Webb. I feel him reach for me again and I long to lose myself in him one more time. I know after tomorrow that I have no choice but to leave with Webb. I can only hope that Jabir will be able to forgive my betrayal and that he will be held blameless for my actions.
I feel my body respond as he kisses my neck and pulls me close. I fuse my mouth to his, needing to feel the heat of his tongue in my mouth. As our tongues caress each other, he pulls us both up so that he can remove my dress. As we make love, I can only think that this might be the last time and my heart breaks at the love I have to leave behind. As he whispers his love, I wonder if I can really leave this man.
Next morning
Mac's POV**
Jabir has finally left for his meetings and I know that I need to find a way to contact Webb fast. I have to get him this information with enough time for him to do something about it, but calling from the hotel isn't an option. Making my way down to the street I feel someone watching me. I slowly look in the store windows pretending as if I'm out for an afternoon of shopping. It takes 30 minutes before I realize that its Webb following me. What is he doing? If I didn't know better, I would say he is watching me to see if I meet with anyone. It suddenly strikes me that the strange look on Webb's face yesterday was suspicion. That son of a bitch! How could he possibly think I would work for the other side? I have lost almost 2 years of my life to this mission and he thinks that I am going to betray my country? I watch carefully as he steps into a store and then I head for the closest phone I can find. I wait as the phone rings and have to laugh that I can hear it from across the street?
"Hello?"
"Webb, are you having fun following me?" silence.. "Webb?"
"Yeah?" I hear him answer.
"I asked if you were having fun following me. You think I'm working for the other side, don't you?"
Silence again. Just as I am about tell him to go to hell I hear him again.
"Mac, can you speak English to me? I really don't understand what you're saying?"
I freeze as I realize that it is completely natural for me to speak Arabic. I haven't spoken even a word of English for the last 20 months. As part of my training I knew that I had to even begin thinking in Arabic so that I wouldn't unintentionally betray myself. As I search for my words, I realize I'm at a complete loss. Its not like I don't know English, but you'd be amazed at how difficult it is after not speaking it for this long.
"Mac?" I can hear the question in his tone.
"Yes?" I think I said that in English. I must have because he tells me to go sit at the café across the street. I sigh in relief and take a seat in the farthest corner. I wait 20 minutes before he comes in and sits just behind me at another table. I have been reading a magazine during this time and of course it's in Arabic as well. I idly realize that every thought I have really is in Arabic. This gives me the creeps, but I know it had to happen to be able to survive without blowing my cover.
"Mac. Are you ok?" I can hear the concern in his voice, but I can also hear the distrust. He really thinks that I have switched sides. I decide to go with the one word answer.
"Yes."
"Are you ready to leave? I can have you home by tomorrow."
I shake my head and try to tell him about the plans tonight but once again it all comes out in Arabic.
"Can you try that in English, please?"
"No." I hear the sharp intake of his breath as I tell him I'm not ready to leave. At first I don't understand why he is so shocked, but then I realize he thinks I am telling him I don't want to go back at all. Do I?
I struggle for my words as I try to piece together the simplest of sentences. "A buy tonight. Jabir's father."
I know he understands what I'm trying to tell him, but his voice is still thick with suspicion. "Do you know where?"
"No." is all I can think to answer. I'm definitely not going to try and explain how I found out that much.
"Damn it. I hadn't expected this. I was just planning to get you and take you and Rabb back to the states."
"What the hell is Rabb doing here, Webb? I don't need him to come save my six. I am doing perfectly fine." At his lack of a response I know that I have just rattled it off in Arabic again but I think he gets my point.
"Whoa, it was the Admiral's idea. Not mine. He gets here in a few hours."
"Plan?" I am definitely sticking with the one-word questions as well.
"You'll have to stay with Jabir until after the buy to make sure no one gets suspicious. Rabb and I will come for you after that and we'll leave immediately.
I don't know how to voice what I've been thinking. I know it sounds heartless, especially coming from the woman married to his son. "Need to kill Jabir's father. He'll keep trying."
"I don't know about that, Mac. I'm just going to focus on stopping him from getting the weapons."
I nod my understanding and manage to ask if I need to know anything else. "Mac, everyone but the admiral and Rabb still think you're dead. They had a memorial service for you 6 months ago. Full military honors. You even got a purple heart. I think the Secnav felt guilty." I know he's trying to make me laugh with the last part but I can only think of the pain that I have caused so many friends.
I didn't mean to voice my thoughts out loud, but I must have. "Maybe I should stay here?" Guess I managed that in English since Webb responds even more suspiciously.
"Mac, you can't be serious. You're not safe here."
"I'm happy, Clay. I love Jabir." I try desperately to make him understand, but I know it's useless. Even I know that I have to go back. I see one of Jabir's friends down the street and move abruptly, leaving the café and moving away from him. I have to get back soon, or Jabir will wonder where I've been. Making my way back to the hotel, I struggle again with the decision to go back.
Clay POV***
I'm still not sure about her. It seems too convenient that I show up just in time for another buy. Is she trying to get me out of the way with this story, now that I've found her? Hell, Mac even admitted that she wants to stay. I can chalk the language problems up to being undercover so long. What I can't shake is her desire to stay and how different she seems. My spy sense is tingling at me that something isn't right, but I'm not sure if the problem is Mac or not. I decide to get Rabb from the airport and do some more reconnaissance before I buy into her story. Just to be safe.
Its 4 hours later and Rabb and I are both watching as Mac and Jabir enjoy dinner out. I can tell that Rabb doesn't like what he's seeing, but hell part of it is his fault. Yeah, I know about the fit he threw the day Mac left. The man's an idiot when it comes to her. After I picked him up, I told Rabb more about my concerns regarding Mac. I thought he was going to deck me for it, but now he's here watching it for himself. Every time Jabir touches her Rabb growls something or tightens his hands around the binocs. I probably shouldn't force him to sit through this, but I need him to understand what we're dealing with here. After another hour of torture for Rabb, Mac and Jabir finally leave to go back to their hotel. It's the walk back that does Rabb in. We stay just far enough behind to see them, but they are so caught up in each other we could have been 2 feet behind them and they would never have known it.
Looking at my watch I realize we only have an hour to find and then tail Jabir's father to the rendezvous. I'm still skeptical, but hopefully Mac's info will come through for us. If not.. Well, I'll deal with that if I have to. I managed to secure a few Marines from the embassy and I motion to Rabb that we have to get going and fast.
1 hour later
Rabb's POV***
I'm starting to get really worried. We're sitting outside where Mac told us Sheik Raihan would be leaving from. So far, no sign of him. When Webb told me his suspicions I wanted to hurt him for even suggesting Mac could betray her country. But after what I saw tonight, I'm not so sure he isn't right. I can see for myself that she is completely in love with Jabir. It hurt to watch her with him. They were so loving and tender with each other. It looks like she has found the one thing that I always held back from her, Love. Even that alone wouldn't have convinced me that she had turned. Its how different she is now. She really isn't Mac anymore at all. She even told Webb she wasn't sure she should come back. How could she possibly feel that way unless she had done something? Damn it. Each minute that passes without Raihan coming out that door makes it harder to believe that Mac hasn't betrayed us.
Looking over to Webb I can see the disappointment in his eyes. We decide to leave one of his operatives with the Marine guard just in case Raihan moves while we go after Mac. We both drive in silence to the hotel she and Jabir are staying at. Taking her back as a traitor is going to kill me and I know it will break everyone's hearts at JAG. I think it would have been better to leave everyone thinking she had died. Part of me wishes we could just leave her here, but my duty won't allow me to let her betray my country and get away with it. I only hope I have the strength to do this.
Since Webb already has the room number we slip past the front desk. I draw my gun and wait for Webb's signal. I can feel my heart beating so fast I swear they can probably hear it inside the room. At Webb's nod I try the door, but it is locked. He pulls out a few tools and manages to pick the lock. As I slowly open the door, he covers me. The suite is large and we strain to listen for any sounds. Mac's moan of pleasure rips through me as I realize we've obviously caught them in the middle of their lovemaking. Hearing her call his name in passion only furthers my anger. We both move to the entrance of the master bedroom and I freeze as I see her in his arms. The image of them together makes me want to kill him with my bare hands. Webb nods to let me know that he has checked the other rooms and they are empty.
They are both so oblivious to our presence that Webb has to call her name. I turn to see Mac looking at Webb and I in confusion while Jabir's look seems to be a mixture of fear, anger, and confusion.
"Mac, I'm sorry but you have to come with us. There wasn't any buy tonight." She's still staring at me in confusion and then recognition of what I am accusing her of dawns on her face. Now she's yelling at me in what I guess is Arabic, but I have no idea. Jabir starts to look more confused by the minute and with my attention drawn to an angry naked Sarah Mackenzie I don't see him pull out the gun until he is starting to raise it towards me. The next moment passes in a split second as 3 shots ring out. Jabir's shot goes wide and barely misses me as Mac covers him with her body knocking his arm away. Both my shot and Webb's hits Mac in her chest and rib-cage as she just barely manages to block Jabir from us.
Jabir drops his gun as he feels Mac slump against him. Cradling her limp body he cries her name softly. "Amirah, please Amirah." Mac doesn't move as he pleads with her. I have no idea what he is saying. As I watch the sheets turn red with her blood, all I can think is that I've just killed the only woman I've ever loved. The pain in his cries breaks through the haze covering my brain. "Amirah, No." The thought occurs to me that perhaps this is better than having to bring her back as a traitor, but I feel sick at what I've just done. I've just killed Sarah. My Sarah. At that moment Webb's radio crackles to life letting him know that Raihan is on the move and they are following him. I can see the regret raging through Webb's face. Waiting 10 more minutes would have made the difference. We both stare at each other and then turn to her lifeless body realizing the mistake we've made.
I drop to my knees as I watch Webb move towards her to check for a pulse. I know he won't find one; I've killed her.
"Rabb, call the embassy. She's still alive, but barely." His statement gives me hope and I make the call quickly and wait for the Embassy trauma team to arrive.
As Jabir continues to rock her, I hear her struggle for breath. It seems to take all her strength to open her eyes and look at her lover holding her in his arms. Her voice is weak as she whispers softly to him. Once again I don't know exactly what she is saying, but the love on her face gives me a good idea. I want so badly to cradle her in my own arms and tell her I am sorry. As she loses consciousness again, the trauma team races in. Jabir watches in shock as they rush to save her life. One of the medics explains that they've got to get her to the base hospital immediately or she has no chance. Jabir nods his understanding and backs away as they cover her and strap her still form to the gurney.
4 hours later
Kuwait Air Force Base Hospital
Webb's POV***
Rabb and I sit next to each other silently as we wait for news from the surgeons. Jabir has vacillated between despair and anger directed towards us. Damn it, why did she have to get in front of him? I know the answer; she's in love with him. I feel Rabb's despair as he stares at the wall in front of him. This is all my fault and I audibly curse myself. If I hadn't been such an idiot and doubted Mac, this never would have happened. As it turns out the buy did go down, and the marines and my operative got there just in time to see the Russian sellers kill Sheik Raihan and his men. They seemed to think they could keep the warhead and the money and would have been successful if my men hadn't been there to contain the situation and confiscate the warhead. But none of that is important. Right now my head is spinning with the knowledge that I may have killed one of my closest friends.
My cell phone rings and I know it is probably the Admiral wanting an update on the situation. The only thing I can be thankful for is that he is there and I am here.
"Webb." I say as calmly as I can manage.
"Webb, you were supposed to call me hours ago. What the hell is going on?" I do my best to try to explain the situation but it's hard for him to understand how both Rabb and I could shoot her by mistake, thinking she was a traitor. He asks how she is doing and I honestly can't give him an answer except to tell him that the wounds were fairly serious. He asks if Rabb is there and yells it loud enough that Rabb can hear it for himself.
Rabb takes the phone from me and can only manage one Sir before he's getting his six chewed. A moment later he hangs up and simply says "He's on his way."
"Webb, what if she dies by my hand? What am I going to do?" I don't have anything to tell him because I'm wondering the same thing. I watch as Rabb leans his head into his hands and silently cries. I am vaguely aware that Jabir is watching us suspiciously. At some point I am going to have to deal with him, but I'm not ready for that. I'm sure he doesn't even know about his father. He'll probably think we killed him and I really don't want to deal with that right now. He hasn't asked us anything about why we brought her to an American military base hospital, which has me a little confused. But, I guess he has probably figured out part of it from just listening to us since I know he speaks English fluently.
A few more hours pass, before the surgeon finally comes out. He looks around trying to locate who he should talk to. Jabir immediately approaches him and they talk back and forth in Arabic. Damn it. I can't understand a thing. I watch Jabir's face closely as the surgeon talks to him. His face falls just a bit, but he doesn't have the look of utter devastation that he did at the hotel when he thought she was dead. The doctor leads him towards the door and I get up to follow. Jabir immediately turns on me and I can feel pure hatred emanate from him.
"Jabir, I just need to know how she is doing." I try to back off and seem as non-threatening as possible. I can see him debate whether or not he should tell me.
"She has slipped into a coma. They do not know if she will wake up." He turns sharply and walks away leaving me to the self-recrimination of my own thoughts. When I get back to where Rabb is sitting, he looks at me waiting for the news. Damn I hate to tell him this.
"She's in a coma. They're not sure if she'll come out of it."
End Chapter 5
WHOA!!! I think I tried to put TOO much drama in this story! LOL, next time I'll go more sparingly. I promise!! =0) PLEASE don't shoot me for this latest twist and remember what I said at the end of CH4. =0) I'm writing the last chapter or two as we speak and I'll make it happy/good.
Notes: From part 4. Someone felt that Jabir would have noticed Mac wasn't a virgin on their wedding night. Just a reminder that her cover was that of a widow. As for whether or not Mac would have 'given up' so easily and married Jabir.. I can see that being up for debate, but she did fall in love with him. Also, I did do some research and communication and such in Iraq is SOOOO controlled. So, its very easy for me to write it that way, especially since she never left the grounds of Jabir's palace.
Notes on this chapter: Some may feel it was a bit of a stretch to have Rabb and Webb suspect Mac, but it made for an interesting turn in the story line.. Besides she's been gone a LONG time. And Webb, well he's a suspicious spook so we'll chalk it up to that! LOL. Regarding the difficulty speaking English, I've seen that happen to friends that have been out of the country and only communicated in the other language while they were gone. As for Mac's struggle about going home, some may not agree with that.. but I do. =0) and I realize I may be completely off with the whole passport/visa thing.. But its just a story?? =0) Thanks for the feedback, suggestions, and input.
Author: Nala (nala@fanfiction.net)
Disclaimers in Part 1.
1 week later
CIA headquarters
Clayton Webb's office (and of course his POV**)
I know everyone thinks I'm wasting my time, but I have managed to get a copy of every passport or Visa request out of Iraq for the last year that Mac has been missing. My gut still tells me that she's out there somewhere. As I flip through to the last one I almost can't believe what I'm looking at. My eyes are tired and I have to rub them to clear my vision. That has to be Mac. Her hair is longer and there is something different in her eyes, but I know that has to be her. As I look closer at the name, I realize she's kept the same first name that I gave her, but her last name is different. Raihan, where do I know that name? I flip frantically through my files and stop in shock as I realize she is married to Sheik Raihan's only son, Jabir. Holy shit, Mac! What happened? How did you end up married, to him? I debate about calling the Admiral, but I need to confirm for myself that it's really her first. After what I have put them through, I'm not going to get their hopes up unnecessarily. Her Visa says she should be in Kuwait 4 more days. Plenty of time I tell myself as I grab a few items and make arrangements for transportation to Kuwait.
Next day
Kuwait City
I'm exhausted and I haven't slept in over 48 hours, the last 4 of which have included sitting across from the hotel Mac is supposedly staying at. My vision sharpens as I see a man exit the building that matches Jabir's photo. He has a woman with him but all that damn clothing makes it hard to tell if it's Mac. I take up a good pace behind them and watch the couple together. As soon as I hear her voice I know its her, even as she speaks in Arabic. I am amazed at how good her Arabic is as she flawlessly talks with Jabir, but then I guess it has been over 20 months since this damn operation started. I keep following them; waiting for my chance to let Mac know that I'm here. As I stay just behind them I'm starting to get concerned. I've seen couples in love and I've seen the best agents faking it. I know how to tell the difference. As I watch, it's obvious to me that Mac and Jabir are in love. I watch carefully for signs that she is just playing along, but there aren't any. The look in her eyes and the soft smile she gets when he talks to her is convincing proof. It's not just Mac either. Jabir is completely taken with her. Warning bells start to go off in my mind and I wonder if somehow Mac has been turned. I feel guilty for even thinking it, but I've seen a lot of stranger things in my time with the CIA. If I contact her and she's turned my life isn't worth diddly, but I know that I owe her the benefit of the doubt.
I see my opportunity as Jabir moves off to negotiate with a street vendor. Walking up quietly, I softly whisper "Mac". I expected her to tense or something but she doesn't acknowledge me at all. "Mac?" I try again and move to the side of her so that she is aware of my presence. Still no response to her name. I know its her; what the hell is going on? It's my staring that finally gets her attention and I watch as she looks at me and then moves her eyes past. At first I think she doesn't even recognize me but I hear her quietly gasp and look back to me.
She mumbles something to me quietly in Arabic, but my skills aren't that good. She can see the confusion on my face but I can tell she doesn't know what is wrong. As I notice her husband returning, I slip her a tiny piece of paper and walk away. It has my secure # on it with no other identifying information so if its found there shouldn't be too many suspicions raised. I watch from a distance as she kisses Jabir softly and walks into another shop.
The whole experience has me completely freaked out. First she doesn't recognize her own name and then she mumbles at me in Arabic like I should understand her. I know strange things happen to your identity when you're undercover this long, but seeing it happen to someone you know is unsettling. I idly wonder if she will even contact me. Damn, what if she doesn't? What does that mean?
Given what I've seen, I'm dreading the call to AJ. What if I've found her just to expose her as a traitor?
About the same time {ignore the whole time zone thing, will ya? =0) }
JAG HQ
Admiral Chegwidden's office
Admiral's POV***
"Rabb, what the hell were you thinking going after a 2 star like that?" As I'm chewing him out for his stunt yesterday in the courtroom I know I am silently grateful that he even pulled it. It might mean that I have my top lawyer back. Since Mac has been gone, he has been withdrawn, barely doing his duty at work. I really thought that we lost him after she was declared MIA and we had the memorial service. As I begin to yell at him more Tiner buzzes through.
"Tiner, I thought I told you to hold my calls."
"Yes sir, but its Webb and he says its urgent Admiral." Tiner's statement gets my attention as well as Rabb's. "Put him through Tiner."
"Webb, what the hell do you want? If you think I am going to lend you any other officers for your damn missions you are out of your mind." That felt good. I have wanted to do worse to him more than once since Mac disappeared. The only satisfaction I got was giving him the black eye when he told me that Mac had gone missing.
I put him on speakerphone just to irritate him but his words shock the hell out of me.
"AJ, I've found her. I found Mac."
Rabb and I instantaneously start hammering him with questions.
"Just listen to me. I'm in Kuwait and she is here. uh, visiting."
"Visiting? What the hell do you mean she is there visiting. You make it sound like she's on vacation."
"Well, actually she is."
I stare at Rabb not knowing what to think about Webb's revelation. Before I can respond he drops the next bombshell.
"We've got a problem. She's married to Sheik Raihan's son, Jabir. AJ, I've watched them and they're completely in love with each other. It's no act. He's in love with her too. It's obvious."
I can hear the unspoken words. Webb thinks Mac has been turned. I look across my desk at Rabb who is at a complete loss. I'm not sure which was the worst for him to hear. That she's in love, married, or whom she is married to. I'm not sure he has even caught onto what Webb didn't say.
"Webb, are you telling me what I think you are?"
"I don't know for sure, but when I approached her on the street today she didn't even respond to her name. I had to practically get in front of her before she realized who I was. Then she mumbled something to me in Arabic, but she knows that I don't speak more than a few words. It was like she didn't even realize I wouldn't understand. I don't think she even knew she wasn't speaking English to me."
I watch as Rabb picks up on what Webb is inferring. "Webb, there is no way that Mac is working for them. How can you even think that?"
"I'm not accusing her of anything, Rabb. But I know a problem when I see one and this is a problem. I was able to slip her my secured cell # but I honestly don't know if she will even call. Rabb, she is different now. It's been almost 2 years; you have to understand that being undercover that long can be very confusing. I barely recognized her myself."
I watch as Rabb tries to process everything that Webb has told him. I know what he is talking about. Long-term deep undercover ops can completely destroy a person's identity.
I know what he's going to ask as he looks up at me. "Go ahead. Make arrangements and meet Webb ASAP."
"Webb, give Rabb the information that he needs to find you." I listen as they make arrangements for Rabb to leave in just a few hours. As I watch Rabb leave, I pray that what Webb suspects isn't true. I think her death would be easier to handle than her betrayal.
2 hours later
Kuwait Hotel
Jabir and Amirah's room
Mac's (Amirah) POV***
I can't believe that Webb found me. My mind races trying to understand how, but I'm just thankful. He had the strangest look on his face though. And he never responded to my question, but I guess he didn't have time. I stare at the paper. I know its his cell # and I know he is waiting for my call. What I don't know is why I am hesitating to contact him. This is what I have wanted for the last 20 months, right? To go back home? Or have I found 'home' with Jabir? The fact that I am struggling with this decision scares me. At the very least I am a deserter if I don't go back. I've been willing to give up my life for my country, but now I'm being asked to give up the man I love. Can I do this?
I don't have time to wonder as Jabir returns from his meeting. I can see that he is upset, but he never talks about his business with me. I watch as he takes off his jacket and lays next to me on the bed.
"Jabir, what's wrong?" I wait in silence. My eyes close as he traces his finger across my face. I can feel the need in his touch. I scoot closer to him and ask him again what is bothering him. I hear his sigh as he mumbles that his father has planned to buy weapons from the Russians again. I instantly become alert. Damn it, I should have known his father wouldn't give up but selfishly I didn't want to have to deal with it. I know that I have to pass this along and when I do I will betray Jabir as well as his father. I can't help the tear that trails down the side of my face. He gently wipes it away.
"Amirah, I tried to reason with him once again. But he is determined to see this through." I lay here trying to think of a way to ask when the purchase will be made, but everything seems too obvious. Unless... "Jabir, do you think you will have time to talk to him again before he does this?" He carefully considers my question, but shrugs helplessly. "I don't think it would make a difference even if I had a 1000 years to tell him of all the good I saw in America. No, Amirah. Tomorrow night he will buy death for many Americans." I know better than to try and get him to tell me where the meeting is supposed to take place. When and who will have to be good enough for Webb. I feel him reach for me again and I long to lose myself in him one more time. I know after tomorrow that I have no choice but to leave with Webb. I can only hope that Jabir will be able to forgive my betrayal and that he will be held blameless for my actions.
I feel my body respond as he kisses my neck and pulls me close. I fuse my mouth to his, needing to feel the heat of his tongue in my mouth. As our tongues caress each other, he pulls us both up so that he can remove my dress. As we make love, I can only think that this might be the last time and my heart breaks at the love I have to leave behind. As he whispers his love, I wonder if I can really leave this man.
Next morning
Mac's POV**
Jabir has finally left for his meetings and I know that I need to find a way to contact Webb fast. I have to get him this information with enough time for him to do something about it, but calling from the hotel isn't an option. Making my way down to the street I feel someone watching me. I slowly look in the store windows pretending as if I'm out for an afternoon of shopping. It takes 30 minutes before I realize that its Webb following me. What is he doing? If I didn't know better, I would say he is watching me to see if I meet with anyone. It suddenly strikes me that the strange look on Webb's face yesterday was suspicion. That son of a bitch! How could he possibly think I would work for the other side? I have lost almost 2 years of my life to this mission and he thinks that I am going to betray my country? I watch carefully as he steps into a store and then I head for the closest phone I can find. I wait as the phone rings and have to laugh that I can hear it from across the street?
"Hello?"
"Webb, are you having fun following me?" silence.. "Webb?"
"Yeah?" I hear him answer.
"I asked if you were having fun following me. You think I'm working for the other side, don't you?"
Silence again. Just as I am about tell him to go to hell I hear him again.
"Mac, can you speak English to me? I really don't understand what you're saying?"
I freeze as I realize that it is completely natural for me to speak Arabic. I haven't spoken even a word of English for the last 20 months. As part of my training I knew that I had to even begin thinking in Arabic so that I wouldn't unintentionally betray myself. As I search for my words, I realize I'm at a complete loss. Its not like I don't know English, but you'd be amazed at how difficult it is after not speaking it for this long.
"Mac?" I can hear the question in his tone.
"Yes?" I think I said that in English. I must have because he tells me to go sit at the café across the street. I sigh in relief and take a seat in the farthest corner. I wait 20 minutes before he comes in and sits just behind me at another table. I have been reading a magazine during this time and of course it's in Arabic as well. I idly realize that every thought I have really is in Arabic. This gives me the creeps, but I know it had to happen to be able to survive without blowing my cover.
"Mac. Are you ok?" I can hear the concern in his voice, but I can also hear the distrust. He really thinks that I have switched sides. I decide to go with the one word answer.
"Yes."
"Are you ready to leave? I can have you home by tomorrow."
I shake my head and try to tell him about the plans tonight but once again it all comes out in Arabic.
"Can you try that in English, please?"
"No." I hear the sharp intake of his breath as I tell him I'm not ready to leave. At first I don't understand why he is so shocked, but then I realize he thinks I am telling him I don't want to go back at all. Do I?
I struggle for my words as I try to piece together the simplest of sentences. "A buy tonight. Jabir's father."
I know he understands what I'm trying to tell him, but his voice is still thick with suspicion. "Do you know where?"
"No." is all I can think to answer. I'm definitely not going to try and explain how I found out that much.
"Damn it. I hadn't expected this. I was just planning to get you and take you and Rabb back to the states."
"What the hell is Rabb doing here, Webb? I don't need him to come save my six. I am doing perfectly fine." At his lack of a response I know that I have just rattled it off in Arabic again but I think he gets my point.
"Whoa, it was the Admiral's idea. Not mine. He gets here in a few hours."
"Plan?" I am definitely sticking with the one-word questions as well.
"You'll have to stay with Jabir until after the buy to make sure no one gets suspicious. Rabb and I will come for you after that and we'll leave immediately.
I don't know how to voice what I've been thinking. I know it sounds heartless, especially coming from the woman married to his son. "Need to kill Jabir's father. He'll keep trying."
"I don't know about that, Mac. I'm just going to focus on stopping him from getting the weapons."
I nod my understanding and manage to ask if I need to know anything else. "Mac, everyone but the admiral and Rabb still think you're dead. They had a memorial service for you 6 months ago. Full military honors. You even got a purple heart. I think the Secnav felt guilty." I know he's trying to make me laugh with the last part but I can only think of the pain that I have caused so many friends.
I didn't mean to voice my thoughts out loud, but I must have. "Maybe I should stay here?" Guess I managed that in English since Webb responds even more suspiciously.
"Mac, you can't be serious. You're not safe here."
"I'm happy, Clay. I love Jabir." I try desperately to make him understand, but I know it's useless. Even I know that I have to go back. I see one of Jabir's friends down the street and move abruptly, leaving the café and moving away from him. I have to get back soon, or Jabir will wonder where I've been. Making my way back to the hotel, I struggle again with the decision to go back.
Clay POV***
I'm still not sure about her. It seems too convenient that I show up just in time for another buy. Is she trying to get me out of the way with this story, now that I've found her? Hell, Mac even admitted that she wants to stay. I can chalk the language problems up to being undercover so long. What I can't shake is her desire to stay and how different she seems. My spy sense is tingling at me that something isn't right, but I'm not sure if the problem is Mac or not. I decide to get Rabb from the airport and do some more reconnaissance before I buy into her story. Just to be safe.
Its 4 hours later and Rabb and I are both watching as Mac and Jabir enjoy dinner out. I can tell that Rabb doesn't like what he's seeing, but hell part of it is his fault. Yeah, I know about the fit he threw the day Mac left. The man's an idiot when it comes to her. After I picked him up, I told Rabb more about my concerns regarding Mac. I thought he was going to deck me for it, but now he's here watching it for himself. Every time Jabir touches her Rabb growls something or tightens his hands around the binocs. I probably shouldn't force him to sit through this, but I need him to understand what we're dealing with here. After another hour of torture for Rabb, Mac and Jabir finally leave to go back to their hotel. It's the walk back that does Rabb in. We stay just far enough behind to see them, but they are so caught up in each other we could have been 2 feet behind them and they would never have known it.
Looking at my watch I realize we only have an hour to find and then tail Jabir's father to the rendezvous. I'm still skeptical, but hopefully Mac's info will come through for us. If not.. Well, I'll deal with that if I have to. I managed to secure a few Marines from the embassy and I motion to Rabb that we have to get going and fast.
1 hour later
Rabb's POV***
I'm starting to get really worried. We're sitting outside where Mac told us Sheik Raihan would be leaving from. So far, no sign of him. When Webb told me his suspicions I wanted to hurt him for even suggesting Mac could betray her country. But after what I saw tonight, I'm not so sure he isn't right. I can see for myself that she is completely in love with Jabir. It hurt to watch her with him. They were so loving and tender with each other. It looks like she has found the one thing that I always held back from her, Love. Even that alone wouldn't have convinced me that she had turned. Its how different she is now. She really isn't Mac anymore at all. She even told Webb she wasn't sure she should come back. How could she possibly feel that way unless she had done something? Damn it. Each minute that passes without Raihan coming out that door makes it harder to believe that Mac hasn't betrayed us.
Looking over to Webb I can see the disappointment in his eyes. We decide to leave one of his operatives with the Marine guard just in case Raihan moves while we go after Mac. We both drive in silence to the hotel she and Jabir are staying at. Taking her back as a traitor is going to kill me and I know it will break everyone's hearts at JAG. I think it would have been better to leave everyone thinking she had died. Part of me wishes we could just leave her here, but my duty won't allow me to let her betray my country and get away with it. I only hope I have the strength to do this.
Since Webb already has the room number we slip past the front desk. I draw my gun and wait for Webb's signal. I can feel my heart beating so fast I swear they can probably hear it inside the room. At Webb's nod I try the door, but it is locked. He pulls out a few tools and manages to pick the lock. As I slowly open the door, he covers me. The suite is large and we strain to listen for any sounds. Mac's moan of pleasure rips through me as I realize we've obviously caught them in the middle of their lovemaking. Hearing her call his name in passion only furthers my anger. We both move to the entrance of the master bedroom and I freeze as I see her in his arms. The image of them together makes me want to kill him with my bare hands. Webb nods to let me know that he has checked the other rooms and they are empty.
They are both so oblivious to our presence that Webb has to call her name. I turn to see Mac looking at Webb and I in confusion while Jabir's look seems to be a mixture of fear, anger, and confusion.
"Mac, I'm sorry but you have to come with us. There wasn't any buy tonight." She's still staring at me in confusion and then recognition of what I am accusing her of dawns on her face. Now she's yelling at me in what I guess is Arabic, but I have no idea. Jabir starts to look more confused by the minute and with my attention drawn to an angry naked Sarah Mackenzie I don't see him pull out the gun until he is starting to raise it towards me. The next moment passes in a split second as 3 shots ring out. Jabir's shot goes wide and barely misses me as Mac covers him with her body knocking his arm away. Both my shot and Webb's hits Mac in her chest and rib-cage as she just barely manages to block Jabir from us.
Jabir drops his gun as he feels Mac slump against him. Cradling her limp body he cries her name softly. "Amirah, please Amirah." Mac doesn't move as he pleads with her. I have no idea what he is saying. As I watch the sheets turn red with her blood, all I can think is that I've just killed the only woman I've ever loved. The pain in his cries breaks through the haze covering my brain. "Amirah, No." The thought occurs to me that perhaps this is better than having to bring her back as a traitor, but I feel sick at what I've just done. I've just killed Sarah. My Sarah. At that moment Webb's radio crackles to life letting him know that Raihan is on the move and they are following him. I can see the regret raging through Webb's face. Waiting 10 more minutes would have made the difference. We both stare at each other and then turn to her lifeless body realizing the mistake we've made.
I drop to my knees as I watch Webb move towards her to check for a pulse. I know he won't find one; I've killed her.
"Rabb, call the embassy. She's still alive, but barely." His statement gives me hope and I make the call quickly and wait for the Embassy trauma team to arrive.
As Jabir continues to rock her, I hear her struggle for breath. It seems to take all her strength to open her eyes and look at her lover holding her in his arms. Her voice is weak as she whispers softly to him. Once again I don't know exactly what she is saying, but the love on her face gives me a good idea. I want so badly to cradle her in my own arms and tell her I am sorry. As she loses consciousness again, the trauma team races in. Jabir watches in shock as they rush to save her life. One of the medics explains that they've got to get her to the base hospital immediately or she has no chance. Jabir nods his understanding and backs away as they cover her and strap her still form to the gurney.
4 hours later
Kuwait Air Force Base Hospital
Webb's POV***
Rabb and I sit next to each other silently as we wait for news from the surgeons. Jabir has vacillated between despair and anger directed towards us. Damn it, why did she have to get in front of him? I know the answer; she's in love with him. I feel Rabb's despair as he stares at the wall in front of him. This is all my fault and I audibly curse myself. If I hadn't been such an idiot and doubted Mac, this never would have happened. As it turns out the buy did go down, and the marines and my operative got there just in time to see the Russian sellers kill Sheik Raihan and his men. They seemed to think they could keep the warhead and the money and would have been successful if my men hadn't been there to contain the situation and confiscate the warhead. But none of that is important. Right now my head is spinning with the knowledge that I may have killed one of my closest friends.
My cell phone rings and I know it is probably the Admiral wanting an update on the situation. The only thing I can be thankful for is that he is there and I am here.
"Webb." I say as calmly as I can manage.
"Webb, you were supposed to call me hours ago. What the hell is going on?" I do my best to try to explain the situation but it's hard for him to understand how both Rabb and I could shoot her by mistake, thinking she was a traitor. He asks how she is doing and I honestly can't give him an answer except to tell him that the wounds were fairly serious. He asks if Rabb is there and yells it loud enough that Rabb can hear it for himself.
Rabb takes the phone from me and can only manage one Sir before he's getting his six chewed. A moment later he hangs up and simply says "He's on his way."
"Webb, what if she dies by my hand? What am I going to do?" I don't have anything to tell him because I'm wondering the same thing. I watch as Rabb leans his head into his hands and silently cries. I am vaguely aware that Jabir is watching us suspiciously. At some point I am going to have to deal with him, but I'm not ready for that. I'm sure he doesn't even know about his father. He'll probably think we killed him and I really don't want to deal with that right now. He hasn't asked us anything about why we brought her to an American military base hospital, which has me a little confused. But, I guess he has probably figured out part of it from just listening to us since I know he speaks English fluently.
A few more hours pass, before the surgeon finally comes out. He looks around trying to locate who he should talk to. Jabir immediately approaches him and they talk back and forth in Arabic. Damn it. I can't understand a thing. I watch Jabir's face closely as the surgeon talks to him. His face falls just a bit, but he doesn't have the look of utter devastation that he did at the hotel when he thought she was dead. The doctor leads him towards the door and I get up to follow. Jabir immediately turns on me and I can feel pure hatred emanate from him.
"Jabir, I just need to know how she is doing." I try to back off and seem as non-threatening as possible. I can see him debate whether or not he should tell me.
"She has slipped into a coma. They do not know if she will wake up." He turns sharply and walks away leaving me to the self-recrimination of my own thoughts. When I get back to where Rabb is sitting, he looks at me waiting for the news. Damn I hate to tell him this.
"She's in a coma. They're not sure if she'll come out of it."
End Chapter 5
WHOA!!! I think I tried to put TOO much drama in this story! LOL, next time I'll go more sparingly. I promise!! =0) PLEASE don't shoot me for this latest twist and remember what I said at the end of CH4. =0) I'm writing the last chapter or two as we speak and I'll make it happy/good.
Notes: From part 4. Someone felt that Jabir would have noticed Mac wasn't a virgin on their wedding night. Just a reminder that her cover was that of a widow. As for whether or not Mac would have 'given up' so easily and married Jabir.. I can see that being up for debate, but she did fall in love with him. Also, I did do some research and communication and such in Iraq is SOOOO controlled. So, its very easy for me to write it that way, especially since she never left the grounds of Jabir's palace.
Notes on this chapter: Some may feel it was a bit of a stretch to have Rabb and Webb suspect Mac, but it made for an interesting turn in the story line.. Besides she's been gone a LONG time. And Webb, well he's a suspicious spook so we'll chalk it up to that! LOL. Regarding the difficulty speaking English, I've seen that happen to friends that have been out of the country and only communicated in the other language while they were gone. As for Mac's struggle about going home, some may not agree with that.. but I do. =0) and I realize I may be completely off with the whole passport/visa thing.. But its just a story?? =0) Thanks for the feedback, suggestions, and input.