ABOUT US 3: The Good And The Bad 3/13
Author: LeE
e-mail: lee_81881@yahoo.com
Classification: Romance H/M
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers: If they belonged to me... no comment. :) JAG is property of DPB and CBS. I'm just having some fun while procrastinating on homework...
Author's Note: This story takes place two months after the events of About Us 2. The rest of the information related to LLNL and the different laboratories mentioned, as well as the current research on Nitrogen bond-dissociation is real, although not nearly as advanced as I make it in the story. Believe me, the world would be a whole lot different. Even though chemistry is a passion of mine, Nitrogen compounds is not my area of expertise; but if anyone is interested in further information about anything mentioned on this story, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Many thanks to my betas, who always do such a great job keeping me motivated... you're the best, guys!...
FROM PART 2
"Now what do you say we go and hit that shower, Sailor?" a smile accompanied her invitation and he smiled in return.
"We, counselor?" Harm was fully aware that he was skirting a sensitive issue, but for once, he knew Mac understood.
Mac gave him a sassy smile as she rose from the bed "Complaining, Squid?" Harm smiled.
"Not all, ninja girl. Not at all" he murmured as he pushed himself out of bed and followed her in, admiring the excellent view of her backside presented to him. Mac was simply the most amazing woman he'd ever met. What was wrong with him?
PART 3
DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2002
1555 EST
"Well, well. Look who they sent to get me" Annika smiled at his long time partner and best friend, Clayton Webb.
"Surely you're not about to complain about royal treatment, now are you?" Clay answered with a grin; well, as close as it got.
Annika snickered. "Royal treatment my..."
His hands went up in surrender. "Okay, okay. Enough insults. How are you?" Clay spoke as he took her carry on bag from her, much to her amusement.
"Clay, I can carry my own bag and..."
"Nik, we've been through this before. Would you please humor me?"
"All right, fine. But don't tell anyone I let you treat me like a poor defenseless woman"
His smile was wistful. "Believe me. I know better than anyone that you're not defenseless" Clay had been witness to Annika's hand to hand techniques and her astounding marksmanship many times before. Annika was anything but defenseless.
"Well, I'd hate to demonstrate in public my full capability to defend myself. Good to know you remember who calls the shots, Spyboy"
"Niiiiik..." Clay groaned at her use of his nickname in public, and Annika laughed. It was good to have their bantering back.
The past two months had been hard on the partners. After the tragic events that resulted in Clay's brother taking his life, Clay hadn't been the same. Sure, his professionalism never faltered, his commitment to his duty was as strong if not stronger than ever, and the hold on his emotions seemed to be tighter now than it'd ever been. But his eyes spoke of a pain hidden so deep within him that only those who truly knew him could see.
For weeks, after his brother's death, Clay had seemed distant, closed off to everything and everyone, even her. Clayton Webb was not the perfect example of openness and communication, but they'd always found a way to work through things together, even in the beginning when they barely knew each other. Finally, letting her helplessness guide her, she had relented and had taken an assignment down in the Caribbean so they could have some time apart.
After returning from the Caribbean, Annika had been in DC for two weeks, and the change she'd seen in her partner was amazing. Amazing, but unsettling nonetheless. They had spent lots of time together those two weeks, including a handful of dinners with Harm and Mac, and even a weekend away in a cabin Clay owned. She had been pleased with his change in attitude, but couldn't help but wonder what had triggered it. Surely her being away hadn't had anything to do with it, but she was still curious, although grateful.
Just when she was starting to feel like Clay would open up and talk about Afghanistan, she was sent to California, Clay had returned to Afghanistan a few days later, and that's when it had all gone to hell with Kabir. Why was Clay getting in trouble when she wasn't around to watch his six?
She didn't like it that he kept his true feelings about his brother to himself, but she couldn't really demand much from him when she wasn't much more forthcoming with her own feelings either. She had her reasons, and so did he. Their system worked. They simply supported each other unconditionally, no questions asked; it had suited them for the past seven years. But, how much longer could their friendship survive this way?
Deciding to enjoy his company for the time being and not dwell on things she couldn't control or understand, she turned to him and smiled.
"When did you get back? Don said you wouldn't be back until later this week?" she questioned him as they walked out towards the car.
"I'll tell you soon enough. For now I want to know how you are," he said and looked sideways at her, catching her careless shrug.
"I don't know. Okay I guess. The investigation isn't all that exciting. Dr. Jones is... wait, do you have clearance for me to tell you this?" she asked seriously and Clay rolled his eyes.
"I'll try and not take that as an insult" he said and smiled. It had been a long time since they'd been assigned to work on something they couldn't tell the other about. Soon, Clay sobered and looked back at her, all traces of joking gone. "Nik, that's what I need to talk to you about"
"Oh"
"Yeah. Come on, hop in, we're gonna be late" Clay spoke and closed the door after her and quickly walked over to the driver's side.
Once safely inside his car, Clay turned towards her and gave her a lopsided smile.
"I missed you Annika Marie"
"I missed you too, Clay" she muttered and looked away for a second, not sure of how to handle this new side of her partner. After her return from the Caribbean, he'd become more...outspoken about certain things. Feeling the silence linger between them long enough to become uncomfortable, she spoke again.
"Now what do you say you take me to dinner to that cute little diner we saw last time we were both in Washington?" Annika said with a smile on her face and Clay sighed inwardly in relief.
"I would take you, but we're having dinner at Don's tonight. Harm and Mac are coming too," Clay said and turned to see her smile widen at the mention of their friends. Things had been so tense while they'd been in Afghanistan. It wasn't easy for Clay and Harm to go back there, but orders were orders, and Don wouldn't have assigned Clay to it if he didn't believe he could do it. She was only sorry she wasn't able to go with him. Her undercover case in California had moved up in the CIA's priority list, so Don had sent her there.
"Does this friendly dinner have something to do with my case?"
"I'm afraid it does, Nik" Clay finished handing her a folder which she quickly opened and scanned through.
"You've got to be kidding. Do we have any clues on who killed him?" Annika asked shocked at seeing the crime scene pictures. Dr. Jones was dead. She couldn't believe it.
"Actually, we do" Clay answered and looked away, concentrating once again on the road as Annika devoured the file in front of her.
Suddenly, as if realizing for the first time he was actually there, Annika turned and narrowed her eyes accusatorily. "Why did Don call you back?"
Clay sighed. "Nik, I ran into a few people while I was back in Afghanistan. I'll explain it all to you later, but right now, all I can say is that there has to be a connection between Livermore and FFChem, the chemical company I've been monitoring" Clay finished and closed his eyes briefly preparing himself for her protest.
"You're telling me that you were after a chemical company back in Afghanistan that could have something to do with what's going on at Livermore and no one had the decency to tell me?!"
He knew he had it coming. "Annika, calm down. The only reason we didn't tell you was because it was important not to risk your cover. Besides, we weren't sure there would even be a connection, but after this, I can't see how we missed it the first time."
"After what, Clay?"
"Keep reading"
DONALD TRENT'S HOME
THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2002
1756 EST
"Mac, Harm. Come in please" Don greeted them at the door and offered a warm smile as they walked past him.
"Where's Annika?" Mac asked immediately, eager to see her friend.
"She's back by the pool with Clay"
"Clay's here already?" Harm asked pleasantly surprised as the three headed towards the back of the house.
"He got in earlier this afternoon."
Annika and Clay had arrived, at each other's throats, about an hour before Harm and Mac.
**********
"Don, would you please get her off my back?" Clay boomed as he burst through the door of the DCI's private residence. Don sighed. He'd been eagerly waiting for this moment. Right.
"How could you keep this from me? What's wrong with you, Clay?!" Annika was so angry she couldn't see straight and Clay knew better than to confront her until she calmed down. After all, here was a woman who, just few months before, had killed nine members of the mafia in Venezuela, one by one, without any backup.
"Annika, nothing's wrong with Clay. It wasn't necessary for you to know."
"Oh don't you dare give me that need to know, crap!"
Don continued on as if she hadn't spoken. "We weren't sure if the connection would be made with FFChem and at the moment, your assignment had nothing to do with technology smugglers. I convinced Clay to keep it from you," Don finished and almost laughed as he turned his head and saw Clay behind him, straining his neck to look at Annika grinning smugly at her. They were just like children when they forgot they were both trained CIA agents.
Annika all but stuck her tongue out at him. "Quit hiding behind Don, Clay. I won't hurt you" she returned and Don laughed at Clay's pained _expression.
"I'm not afraid of you" Clay stated matter-of-factly as he approached her tentatively. Annika suddenly reached her hands menacingly towards Clay's neck and he jumped back instinctively. Annika laughed and Don hid his smile behind his hand as he rolled his eyes.
"If you kids are done playing, I'd like to go over a few things with you" Don said after a few moments.
"Okay. I guess I understand. Now, what is it that you found out there while you were playing with the camels, spy boy?" Annika asked and winked at Clay, who simply rolled his eyes as he relaxed his stance at once. She smiled. He was too easy sometimes.
Clay cleared his throat and spoke. "There has been communication intercepted between Livermore and the company we've been monitoring the past few weeks. We don't have all the details yet, but it looks like someone at LLNL is looking to make a little money on the side by selling secrets to the bad guys."
"What kind of secrets? You mean confidential research data?"
"N Division research, to be more specific." Annika remained silent.
"So we have that, plus the sudden murder of Dr. Jones. What a mess." A gush of air formed tune as it passed her lips.
"Perceptive" Arguments with her always triggered his sarcastic nature.
"Shut up, Clay." Sometimes--like now-- he obeyed. But some other times, she wished they were both in the military. She could be a General and he could be a...a...First Lieutenant, and she could have the upper hand *all* the time. Unfortunately, they were CIA. Oh well.
"Oooookay. So you have an idea now of what we need you to do when you go back to Livermore" Don stated interrupting their bickering. Sometimes he felt like a damn referee with those two. Annika simply nodded.
"We need you on this one, Nik. We can't afford any mistakes. It's all really sketchy, but if someone can do this it's you" Don said and Annika smiled slightly as she nodded her understanding.
*********
The conversation had ended there and Don had left them alone to do whatever they did to get back in each other's good graces after a heated argument. Now, as Don walked along Harm and Mac towards the back of the house, he had a smile on his face. Seconds later, they approached Clay and Annika, who were obviously very busy stealing pieces of fruit from each other's plates.
"Clay! Stop it!" Annika's mirthful laugh filled the warm afternoon air.
"You started it!"
"Ahem..."
Jumping at the sound of a throat clearing, Clay and Annika looked up with guilty smiles at Harm and Mac.
"Hey guys" Clay uttered, a little sheepish smile tugging at his lips as Annika laughed at him and stood up to hug both Harm and Mac. Clay followed, giving Mac a kiss on the cheek and shaking Harm's hand warmly.
"Hey, Clay. How are ya?" Harm asked as Mac and Annika sat down to eat some fruit and chat.
"Okay, Harm. How about you? Haven't heard your name in any breaking news story. I take it you've been behaving?" Clay asked with a smile. Harm shook his head and pointed his finger at his friend.
"You know, Clay. If the newspapers got hold of everything you actually do, I bet you'd be their cover story" Harm said with a smirk.
"Hey, I'm just a spy" he returned with a faked innocent shrug. Harm rolled his eyes. 'Just a spy' he thought. God help us all. Before a witty reply formed on his mind Clay spoke again. "Hey, how's Bud doing? I just got in and haven't gotten a chance to go by and see him"
Under other circumstances, Harm would've made a crack about the heartless spook caring for something other than the Agency, but Harm knew better than anyone how much Clay had changed since his brother's death. Maybe he'd always been the caring human being he was now. He was just barely starting to let it show.
"He's doing great, Clay. He's already started rehab with his prosthesis, and the doctors say he's way ahead of schedule" Harm said as they walked idly across the grass to where Don was seated having a heated conversation with someone on the phone.
"That's great news, Harm. I'll try and stop by sometime tomorrow, although I don't think we'll have much time to visit with this new case" Clay said as an afterthought and Harm eyed him wearily.
"So that's why we're here isn't it?" Harm asked, no bitterness or indignation in his tone like he would've shown before. Somehow, after Afghanistan, Harm had a much clearer picture of Clay's job and appreciated it all the more. People in the military weren't the only ones making sacrifices for their country. Clay sure had.
"Yeah" Clay answered distractedly as he shot a glance at Annika, who was laughing hard at something Mac had said to her. She sure had a beautiful laugh, and a beautiful smile...hell, she was beautiful, period.
"How are things with Annika?" The question caught Clay off guard and he started thinking of an answer to just change the subject when he caught Harm's knowing stare. Harm had been there for him when Annika had been in the Caribbean and he'd needed someone to talk to. Harm knew. He couldn't lie to him. Not after everything they'd gone through.
"I don't know, Harm. I think we have our friendship back. I like it that way" Clay said and stopped for a second to inspect his choice of footwear. "I was a jerk to her those few weeks after the...you know, Afghanistan" Clay said softly, as if the hushed tone could make it sound any less shameful.
Harm raised one eyebrow. "Tell me something I don't know" he quipped and Clay sighed. This was not easy.
"I don't know. I've tried to be more open with her, you know? And I think she noticed, but she just adjusts to whatever I do and never asks questions. I told her I missed her this afternoon when I picked her up from the airport. You'd think she'd flip and go find a thermometer to check my temperature, but she didn't. She just said 'I missed you too, Clay' and that was that. I know she was wondering what was wrong with me, but she didn't say it" he finished as he continued to gaze in the direction of his best friend. Annika turned, as if feeling his eyes on him, and waved at him and smiled. He waved and turned back to Harm, who seemed to be lost in thought.
"I don't think she knows how to deal with you, Clay. You're gonna have to tell her what you want. That is, if you know" Harm said as he turned fully towards his friend and pierced him with a questioning look. Clay sighed.
"I don't know, Harm. Some days I think I'm ready to throw it all away just for her. And sometimes I think we're not ready" Clay uttered, still amazed at how easily he could talk to Harm about this subject.
"You mean, you are not ready yet" Harm answered, shaking his head at Clay. "Listen, I'm not saying you have to run to her and tell her you love her right now. I'm just saying you need to figure out what you want, and soon" Harm answered and Clay simply nodded.
"I know"
"Why such long faces guys. We haven't talked about the case yet" Annika teased as she reached them, Mac following closely behind her. Joking about their work was a way to diminish the tension and worry that came with it. Harm nodded slightly at Clay and smiled at Annika. They weren't finished talking. They'd just have to do it some other time.
"You folks ready for dinner?" Don asked as he approached them, obviously doing his best to hide his apprehension about the latest happenings concerning Dr. Jones' death. Minutes later they were seated at the dining room table, enjoying their dinner when Don began.
"I think it's time we talk about this, people," he spoke as he turned towards Harm and Mac. "I'm sorry to drag you guys into this, but we need you, especially since our main suspect is as Naval Officer" Don stopped to let that sink in and prepared for the lawyers' questions.
"A naval officer? Who?"
TBC
Author: LeE
e-mail: lee_81881@yahoo.com
Classification: Romance H/M
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers: If they belonged to me... no comment. :) JAG is property of DPB and CBS. I'm just having some fun while procrastinating on homework...
Author's Note: This story takes place two months after the events of About Us 2. The rest of the information related to LLNL and the different laboratories mentioned, as well as the current research on Nitrogen bond-dissociation is real, although not nearly as advanced as I make it in the story. Believe me, the world would be a whole lot different. Even though chemistry is a passion of mine, Nitrogen compounds is not my area of expertise; but if anyone is interested in further information about anything mentioned on this story, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Many thanks to my betas, who always do such a great job keeping me motivated... you're the best, guys!...
FROM PART 2
"Now what do you say we go and hit that shower, Sailor?" a smile accompanied her invitation and he smiled in return.
"We, counselor?" Harm was fully aware that he was skirting a sensitive issue, but for once, he knew Mac understood.
Mac gave him a sassy smile as she rose from the bed "Complaining, Squid?" Harm smiled.
"Not all, ninja girl. Not at all" he murmured as he pushed himself out of bed and followed her in, admiring the excellent view of her backside presented to him. Mac was simply the most amazing woman he'd ever met. What was wrong with him?
PART 3
DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2002
1555 EST
"Well, well. Look who they sent to get me" Annika smiled at his long time partner and best friend, Clayton Webb.
"Surely you're not about to complain about royal treatment, now are you?" Clay answered with a grin; well, as close as it got.
Annika snickered. "Royal treatment my..."
His hands went up in surrender. "Okay, okay. Enough insults. How are you?" Clay spoke as he took her carry on bag from her, much to her amusement.
"Clay, I can carry my own bag and..."
"Nik, we've been through this before. Would you please humor me?"
"All right, fine. But don't tell anyone I let you treat me like a poor defenseless woman"
His smile was wistful. "Believe me. I know better than anyone that you're not defenseless" Clay had been witness to Annika's hand to hand techniques and her astounding marksmanship many times before. Annika was anything but defenseless.
"Well, I'd hate to demonstrate in public my full capability to defend myself. Good to know you remember who calls the shots, Spyboy"
"Niiiiik..." Clay groaned at her use of his nickname in public, and Annika laughed. It was good to have their bantering back.
The past two months had been hard on the partners. After the tragic events that resulted in Clay's brother taking his life, Clay hadn't been the same. Sure, his professionalism never faltered, his commitment to his duty was as strong if not stronger than ever, and the hold on his emotions seemed to be tighter now than it'd ever been. But his eyes spoke of a pain hidden so deep within him that only those who truly knew him could see.
For weeks, after his brother's death, Clay had seemed distant, closed off to everything and everyone, even her. Clayton Webb was not the perfect example of openness and communication, but they'd always found a way to work through things together, even in the beginning when they barely knew each other. Finally, letting her helplessness guide her, she had relented and had taken an assignment down in the Caribbean so they could have some time apart.
After returning from the Caribbean, Annika had been in DC for two weeks, and the change she'd seen in her partner was amazing. Amazing, but unsettling nonetheless. They had spent lots of time together those two weeks, including a handful of dinners with Harm and Mac, and even a weekend away in a cabin Clay owned. She had been pleased with his change in attitude, but couldn't help but wonder what had triggered it. Surely her being away hadn't had anything to do with it, but she was still curious, although grateful.
Just when she was starting to feel like Clay would open up and talk about Afghanistan, she was sent to California, Clay had returned to Afghanistan a few days later, and that's when it had all gone to hell with Kabir. Why was Clay getting in trouble when she wasn't around to watch his six?
She didn't like it that he kept his true feelings about his brother to himself, but she couldn't really demand much from him when she wasn't much more forthcoming with her own feelings either. She had her reasons, and so did he. Their system worked. They simply supported each other unconditionally, no questions asked; it had suited them for the past seven years. But, how much longer could their friendship survive this way?
Deciding to enjoy his company for the time being and not dwell on things she couldn't control or understand, she turned to him and smiled.
"When did you get back? Don said you wouldn't be back until later this week?" she questioned him as they walked out towards the car.
"I'll tell you soon enough. For now I want to know how you are," he said and looked sideways at her, catching her careless shrug.
"I don't know. Okay I guess. The investigation isn't all that exciting. Dr. Jones is... wait, do you have clearance for me to tell you this?" she asked seriously and Clay rolled his eyes.
"I'll try and not take that as an insult" he said and smiled. It had been a long time since they'd been assigned to work on something they couldn't tell the other about. Soon, Clay sobered and looked back at her, all traces of joking gone. "Nik, that's what I need to talk to you about"
"Oh"
"Yeah. Come on, hop in, we're gonna be late" Clay spoke and closed the door after her and quickly walked over to the driver's side.
Once safely inside his car, Clay turned towards her and gave her a lopsided smile.
"I missed you Annika Marie"
"I missed you too, Clay" she muttered and looked away for a second, not sure of how to handle this new side of her partner. After her return from the Caribbean, he'd become more...outspoken about certain things. Feeling the silence linger between them long enough to become uncomfortable, she spoke again.
"Now what do you say you take me to dinner to that cute little diner we saw last time we were both in Washington?" Annika said with a smile on her face and Clay sighed inwardly in relief.
"I would take you, but we're having dinner at Don's tonight. Harm and Mac are coming too," Clay said and turned to see her smile widen at the mention of their friends. Things had been so tense while they'd been in Afghanistan. It wasn't easy for Clay and Harm to go back there, but orders were orders, and Don wouldn't have assigned Clay to it if he didn't believe he could do it. She was only sorry she wasn't able to go with him. Her undercover case in California had moved up in the CIA's priority list, so Don had sent her there.
"Does this friendly dinner have something to do with my case?"
"I'm afraid it does, Nik" Clay finished handing her a folder which she quickly opened and scanned through.
"You've got to be kidding. Do we have any clues on who killed him?" Annika asked shocked at seeing the crime scene pictures. Dr. Jones was dead. She couldn't believe it.
"Actually, we do" Clay answered and looked away, concentrating once again on the road as Annika devoured the file in front of her.
Suddenly, as if realizing for the first time he was actually there, Annika turned and narrowed her eyes accusatorily. "Why did Don call you back?"
Clay sighed. "Nik, I ran into a few people while I was back in Afghanistan. I'll explain it all to you later, but right now, all I can say is that there has to be a connection between Livermore and FFChem, the chemical company I've been monitoring" Clay finished and closed his eyes briefly preparing himself for her protest.
"You're telling me that you were after a chemical company back in Afghanistan that could have something to do with what's going on at Livermore and no one had the decency to tell me?!"
He knew he had it coming. "Annika, calm down. The only reason we didn't tell you was because it was important not to risk your cover. Besides, we weren't sure there would even be a connection, but after this, I can't see how we missed it the first time."
"After what, Clay?"
"Keep reading"
DONALD TRENT'S HOME
THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2002
1756 EST
"Mac, Harm. Come in please" Don greeted them at the door and offered a warm smile as they walked past him.
"Where's Annika?" Mac asked immediately, eager to see her friend.
"She's back by the pool with Clay"
"Clay's here already?" Harm asked pleasantly surprised as the three headed towards the back of the house.
"He got in earlier this afternoon."
Annika and Clay had arrived, at each other's throats, about an hour before Harm and Mac.
**********
"Don, would you please get her off my back?" Clay boomed as he burst through the door of the DCI's private residence. Don sighed. He'd been eagerly waiting for this moment. Right.
"How could you keep this from me? What's wrong with you, Clay?!" Annika was so angry she couldn't see straight and Clay knew better than to confront her until she calmed down. After all, here was a woman who, just few months before, had killed nine members of the mafia in Venezuela, one by one, without any backup.
"Annika, nothing's wrong with Clay. It wasn't necessary for you to know."
"Oh don't you dare give me that need to know, crap!"
Don continued on as if she hadn't spoken. "We weren't sure if the connection would be made with FFChem and at the moment, your assignment had nothing to do with technology smugglers. I convinced Clay to keep it from you," Don finished and almost laughed as he turned his head and saw Clay behind him, straining his neck to look at Annika grinning smugly at her. They were just like children when they forgot they were both trained CIA agents.
Annika all but stuck her tongue out at him. "Quit hiding behind Don, Clay. I won't hurt you" she returned and Don laughed at Clay's pained _expression.
"I'm not afraid of you" Clay stated matter-of-factly as he approached her tentatively. Annika suddenly reached her hands menacingly towards Clay's neck and he jumped back instinctively. Annika laughed and Don hid his smile behind his hand as he rolled his eyes.
"If you kids are done playing, I'd like to go over a few things with you" Don said after a few moments.
"Okay. I guess I understand. Now, what is it that you found out there while you were playing with the camels, spy boy?" Annika asked and winked at Clay, who simply rolled his eyes as he relaxed his stance at once. She smiled. He was too easy sometimes.
Clay cleared his throat and spoke. "There has been communication intercepted between Livermore and the company we've been monitoring the past few weeks. We don't have all the details yet, but it looks like someone at LLNL is looking to make a little money on the side by selling secrets to the bad guys."
"What kind of secrets? You mean confidential research data?"
"N Division research, to be more specific." Annika remained silent.
"So we have that, plus the sudden murder of Dr. Jones. What a mess." A gush of air formed tune as it passed her lips.
"Perceptive" Arguments with her always triggered his sarcastic nature.
"Shut up, Clay." Sometimes--like now-- he obeyed. But some other times, she wished they were both in the military. She could be a General and he could be a...a...First Lieutenant, and she could have the upper hand *all* the time. Unfortunately, they were CIA. Oh well.
"Oooookay. So you have an idea now of what we need you to do when you go back to Livermore" Don stated interrupting their bickering. Sometimes he felt like a damn referee with those two. Annika simply nodded.
"We need you on this one, Nik. We can't afford any mistakes. It's all really sketchy, but if someone can do this it's you" Don said and Annika smiled slightly as she nodded her understanding.
*********
The conversation had ended there and Don had left them alone to do whatever they did to get back in each other's good graces after a heated argument. Now, as Don walked along Harm and Mac towards the back of the house, he had a smile on his face. Seconds later, they approached Clay and Annika, who were obviously very busy stealing pieces of fruit from each other's plates.
"Clay! Stop it!" Annika's mirthful laugh filled the warm afternoon air.
"You started it!"
"Ahem..."
Jumping at the sound of a throat clearing, Clay and Annika looked up with guilty smiles at Harm and Mac.
"Hey guys" Clay uttered, a little sheepish smile tugging at his lips as Annika laughed at him and stood up to hug both Harm and Mac. Clay followed, giving Mac a kiss on the cheek and shaking Harm's hand warmly.
"Hey, Clay. How are ya?" Harm asked as Mac and Annika sat down to eat some fruit and chat.
"Okay, Harm. How about you? Haven't heard your name in any breaking news story. I take it you've been behaving?" Clay asked with a smile. Harm shook his head and pointed his finger at his friend.
"You know, Clay. If the newspapers got hold of everything you actually do, I bet you'd be their cover story" Harm said with a smirk.
"Hey, I'm just a spy" he returned with a faked innocent shrug. Harm rolled his eyes. 'Just a spy' he thought. God help us all. Before a witty reply formed on his mind Clay spoke again. "Hey, how's Bud doing? I just got in and haven't gotten a chance to go by and see him"
Under other circumstances, Harm would've made a crack about the heartless spook caring for something other than the Agency, but Harm knew better than anyone how much Clay had changed since his brother's death. Maybe he'd always been the caring human being he was now. He was just barely starting to let it show.
"He's doing great, Clay. He's already started rehab with his prosthesis, and the doctors say he's way ahead of schedule" Harm said as they walked idly across the grass to where Don was seated having a heated conversation with someone on the phone.
"That's great news, Harm. I'll try and stop by sometime tomorrow, although I don't think we'll have much time to visit with this new case" Clay said as an afterthought and Harm eyed him wearily.
"So that's why we're here isn't it?" Harm asked, no bitterness or indignation in his tone like he would've shown before. Somehow, after Afghanistan, Harm had a much clearer picture of Clay's job and appreciated it all the more. People in the military weren't the only ones making sacrifices for their country. Clay sure had.
"Yeah" Clay answered distractedly as he shot a glance at Annika, who was laughing hard at something Mac had said to her. She sure had a beautiful laugh, and a beautiful smile...hell, she was beautiful, period.
"How are things with Annika?" The question caught Clay off guard and he started thinking of an answer to just change the subject when he caught Harm's knowing stare. Harm had been there for him when Annika had been in the Caribbean and he'd needed someone to talk to. Harm knew. He couldn't lie to him. Not after everything they'd gone through.
"I don't know, Harm. I think we have our friendship back. I like it that way" Clay said and stopped for a second to inspect his choice of footwear. "I was a jerk to her those few weeks after the...you know, Afghanistan" Clay said softly, as if the hushed tone could make it sound any less shameful.
Harm raised one eyebrow. "Tell me something I don't know" he quipped and Clay sighed. This was not easy.
"I don't know. I've tried to be more open with her, you know? And I think she noticed, but she just adjusts to whatever I do and never asks questions. I told her I missed her this afternoon when I picked her up from the airport. You'd think she'd flip and go find a thermometer to check my temperature, but she didn't. She just said 'I missed you too, Clay' and that was that. I know she was wondering what was wrong with me, but she didn't say it" he finished as he continued to gaze in the direction of his best friend. Annika turned, as if feeling his eyes on him, and waved at him and smiled. He waved and turned back to Harm, who seemed to be lost in thought.
"I don't think she knows how to deal with you, Clay. You're gonna have to tell her what you want. That is, if you know" Harm said as he turned fully towards his friend and pierced him with a questioning look. Clay sighed.
"I don't know, Harm. Some days I think I'm ready to throw it all away just for her. And sometimes I think we're not ready" Clay uttered, still amazed at how easily he could talk to Harm about this subject.
"You mean, you are not ready yet" Harm answered, shaking his head at Clay. "Listen, I'm not saying you have to run to her and tell her you love her right now. I'm just saying you need to figure out what you want, and soon" Harm answered and Clay simply nodded.
"I know"
"Why such long faces guys. We haven't talked about the case yet" Annika teased as she reached them, Mac following closely behind her. Joking about their work was a way to diminish the tension and worry that came with it. Harm nodded slightly at Clay and smiled at Annika. They weren't finished talking. They'd just have to do it some other time.
"You folks ready for dinner?" Don asked as he approached them, obviously doing his best to hide his apprehension about the latest happenings concerning Dr. Jones' death. Minutes later they were seated at the dining room table, enjoying their dinner when Don began.
"I think it's time we talk about this, people," he spoke as he turned towards Harm and Mac. "I'm sorry to drag you guys into this, but we need you, especially since our main suspect is as Naval Officer" Don stopped to let that sink in and prepared for the lawyers' questions.
"A naval officer? Who?"
TBC