A HELLUVA DAY
STANDARD DISCLAIMERS AS ALWAYS
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HARM'S APARTMENT
Harm sat reviewing case notes. His most recent case was really giving him a hard time. He wasn't sure how he would proceed with the defense. Lieutenant Jonas had been charged with peddling. Actually, no one knew what to call it since there was nothing in the UCMJ to describe being a "madam". She spent her time securing dates for her shipmates when they were in port. Of course this was done for profit. Harm knew this was going to be a no win situation. Mac had already plea-bargained with most of the Lieutenant's clients; testimony for lesser charges and that it would be handled within the military. Lieutenant Jonas had civilian charges against her as well as military. Harm had suggested a plea to her but she refused. He civilian attorney had already advised her that if the Navy did not prove their case, it would be hard for the State to convict.
Harm was completely disgusted with this whole situation. Having to defend this woman bothered him, although he wasn't sure which bothered him more; what she had done or the fact that he was going to lose to Mac. He tried to write his opening statement. What could he possibly say? She was providing a much needed service to the men on board? That would go over real well. If she even showed the slightest bit of remorse it would be so much easier. He finally threw the file and the pad on the table and grabbed the phone to call Mac.
Mac wasn't home her machine picked up. "Hey Mac, it's me. Where are you? Give me a call when you get in."
Great, she's not home. He thought miserably. He wanted to talk to her, get his mind off the case. He picked up the phone again maybe Sturgis was home. He and Bobbie had gotten back from Michigan the day before.
"Hello?" Bobbie answered.
"Hello Congresswoman. How are you today?" Harm asked.
"Good Harm and you?" Bobbie asked.
"Doing good. Is Sturgis around?" Harm asked sounding like a little kid looking for his playmate.
"Hang on." Bobbie said.
"Hey buddy what's up?" Sturgis said.
"Nothing much. This Jonas case is killing me. Wanted to bounce a few ideas off you." Harm said.
"Mac's not home huh?" Sturgis teased.
"No she isn't but I can't discuss it with her she is prosecuting." Harm said defensively pouting.
"Harm do you want me to come over?" Sturgis asked.
"No it's fine. Have a good day with Bobbie." Harm said feeling lonely.
"Harm we have nothing planned it's not a problem." Sturgis said.
"Nah, it's fine really. Maybe I'll go for a walk." Harm said. "Talk to you later."
"Take care." Sturgis said hanging up.
Harm had no idea what to do with himself. It was 10am and he was very restless for some reason. He grabbed his keys and headed for the door. Twenty minutes later he was at Rock Creek Park. He walked around and went to the Battleground National Cemetery, which was established shortly after the Battle of Fort Stevens in the summer of 1864. From there he went to the Old Stone House. This house was representation of how the typical American lived during the 18th century. It was one of the oldest buildings in the DC area. It was now 11:30, he tried Mac's home and cell numbers no answer. Where was she going today?
Harm walked around the park a little longer and then drove home. When he arrived at his door there was a small package sitting there. He picked it up and saw that it was a white rose boutonnière. He read the note that came with it.
"Meet me at the Pierce Mill at Rock Creek Park at 1pm. I have a surprise! Love Me."
What does she have planned? I was just there. Harm thought with a smile as he walked inside. Guess I should shower.
PIERCE MILL AT ROCK CREEK PARK
Harm made it back to the park with minutes to spare. He looked around for Mac's car and didn't see it. He fastened the boutonnière to his lapel and walked around looking for Mac. Suddenly he saw the back of a woman in a wedding gown.
"Mac." Harm called out. "I was just here this morning. What's going on?"
The woman turned to Harm and smiled. "Our day is finally here my love."
"What the… Our what?" Harm said.
"Finally no more pretending. Today everyone will know." She said.
"You're insane." Harm shouted.
"Only when we are apart." She said.
"I'm getting out of here." Harm said as he ripped the boutonnière off his jacket.
"Harmon, don't leave me." She said as she revealed a gun hidden in her bouquet.
"Do you realize what you are doing?" Harm said trying to reason with her.
"Yes my love. It's time. The minister is waiting." She said.
She directed him inside the Mill and what he saw amazed him. The room was basically empty except for the items left by the Parks Service. She had decorated it with flowers. There was a podium and a mannequin dressed as a minister. There was an arrangement of empty chairs scattered throughout.
"Why are you doing this?" Harm asked.
"Because we love each other." She said smiling at him. "I know you always have."
"I have?" Harm questioned. "And you know this how?"
"Each time you came to my home, you told me. Why are you being so odd?" She asked.
"It's just that this is all such a surprise. I never expected this." Harm said trying a different tactic.
"You're being silly. I am so happy we won't have to pretend anymore." She said.
"Pretend?" Harm asked.
"Yes, now you can tell that women you don't really love her." She said. "Come on, everyone is waiting." She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the podium. After a few minutes she turned to him and said, "Harm, say I Do."
Stunned Harm said it. He wasn't sure what she might do if he didn't comply. While standing there in this silence that she believed was a wedding ceremony Harm was thinking of how he was going to end this. At this point nothing came to him.
"I do." Harm heard her say. "Kiss me. It's official we're married."
Harm stood there as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. She was still holding the gun and he did not want to tangle with that. He and Mac were getting married in three months and he wanted to make sure he was alive for it.
"Now on to the reception." She said. "Let's go!"
They walked to her car, "Drive." She said.
"Were are we going?" Harm asked.
"To the reception, you picked it." She replied.
"I am not sure how to get there from here." Harm said.
"Not to worry my love. I do." She replied.
ACROSS TOWN
She gave him directions to her apartment. Once inside, she padlocked the door. There were some decorations scattered around. He looked around and saw pictures of JAG staff all around the room. He assumed they were the guests.
In the corner was a tattered box "Isn't it lovely. My parents sent us that as an engagement gift. Of course they were the only ones I was able to tell about our plans. Until the last minute." She said. It was a box that in her mind had been delivered a while back. Actually she had taken it from the trash. No delivery had actually come.
The table was set and it was actually a bit frightening to him. She finally put down the bouquet, still holding the gun, as she turned on the stereo.
"Now our first dance. You know it took me forever to pick our special song." She said. Harm stood there his eyes growing wide as Anchors Aweigh began to drift out of her stereo. She started to dance alone around the room. He had to get out of there. How was the question? Once the dance was over, she turned to Harm. "This was wonderful, what a beautiful reception. Now on to our honeymoon, I hope you like Paris."
"Paris is nice." Harm said eyes growing wide and slowly nodding. She directed him towards the bedroom. Inside was decorated with travel posters of Paris.
"It is the city of love." She said as she locked the door with another padlock.
"That it is." Harm said. He needed to get that key.
"My love you look so tired. It has been such a long day. You need to rest." She said and with that stabbed him with a syringe.
"What in the world?" Harm said as he began to pass out. "You won't get away with this."
"But my love, I already have." She said as she sat on the bed watching Harm as he drifted to a state of unconsciousness.
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Author's note: If anyone is interested here is the link to Rock Creek Park. http://www.nps.gov/rocr/
I know I am mean and having kept you all hanging on to whom this woman is… I am just having a lot of fun with this woman but all will be revealed soon!!! Thanks for putting up with me….