ABOUT US 3: The Good And The Bad 10/14
Author: LeE
e-mail: lee_81881@yahoo.com
Classification: Romance H/M, Clay/Annika
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 9
"I sure hope you're not talking about love, Colonel. I'm not in love with, Clay. And he's not in love with me. I love him as my friend, and my partner, and that's all. It's just a little blurry right now because his emotional world is being turned upside down and he's confused. It'll pass. I know."
"Is this part of what you have experience on?" Annika looked away, and Mac relented. "Okay, look. How do you know it's just confusion and not something else?"
"I just do" 'It always is' she added silently. Once again Annika's eyes focused on a point to her left and Mac could sense the end of their female bonding time. Her shields were firmly in place when she looked back. "Anyway, as soon as Harm and the brain-dead monkey return, you make sure to interrogate them. And I'll see you all for dinner then."
Mac sat still for a second, trying to figure out if Annika had actually realized what she'd called her partner. Annika looked over at her from her position near the door and winked.
"Don't tell him I called him that. He'd hate me for not telling him to his face," and with that she left, leaving a laughing Marine behind to mountains of unread files.
PART 10
AMANDA JONES'S TEMPORARY APARTMENT
LIVERMORE, CA
1435 PT
"I'm sorry this place is not more accommodating. I just couldn't stay near the house," Amanda Jones explained as she allowed the two men entrance to her temporary housing.
"It's not a problem. We appreciate you meeting with us, Mrs. Jones" Clay spoke politely as they crossed the short distance towards the sofa in the corner of the small apartment.
"I understand you have a job to do. I want to know who killed my husband too. And I want to know why." Amanda's silvery streaked hair curved lightly around her round face, her blue eyes wide with emotion as she fought the tears that threatened once again. Harm could only nod.
"Ma'am. Your housekeeper has come forward with information that might be useful to our investigation. She testified to have seen a man leaving out the backyard door as she was coming in the house the afternoon of your husband's murder. Do you have any idea who would have access to your home other than Mrs. Garcia? There was no apparent forced entry, and Mrs. Garcia pointed out the two dogs did not make a sound."
Amanda seemed thoughtful for a few seconds. "Well, other than Mikey, I can't really think of anyone. He feeds our dogs when we're away."
"Mikey?"
"I'm sorry. I still think of him as a child" she smiled embarrassedly. "Michael Ashton. Dr. Michael Ashton, I should say. I still can't believe he's a doctor already. Anyway, he's the only person other than Dorothy who has keys to the house." Amanda spoke quietly, not realizing the implications of what she was stating. Clay and Harm exchanged worried glances. It was one thing to have a theory, but this new revelation was alarming.
"Ma'am. Were your husband and Dr. Ashton close?"
"Oh yes. Larry was like a second father to Michael. After his father died, in that terrible car accident..."
"Car accident, ma'am?" Clay knew all this. He just didn't think confronting Mrs. Jones with all the facts was smart. He wanted her side of the story after all. So he feigned ignorance.
"Yes. Michael's father died a few years ago. 1997 to be exact. His car exploded. It was a shame. Michael took it terribly bad. He didn't speak to anyone for months, and finally Larry was able to get him to open up a little. They started to bond, if you will. Michael had always been like a son to us. Larry and Jeffrey, Michael's father, had gone to college together at UC Berkley."
"So you would say your husband was closer to Michael than he was to most people in his workplace?"
"Oh yes. Michael and Larry often took trips together. After his father's death, Michael got involved deeply in anti-nuclear groups and things of that sort. Michael loves environmental science, and Larry did too. So, he would make sure to accompany Michael when there were conferences and meetings regarding environmental science and nuclear chemistry research. I remember their heated debates over the advantages and disadvantages of N Division research at Livermore. They talked about it all the time. Now, don't think I know exactly what it all means" she laughed lightly "Years of being married to a scientist, well you pick up things here and there you know?"
"Of course" Clay indulged her with a polite smile. "Ma'am, you mentioned N Division research? Dr. Ashton is opposed to this kind of research?"
"Yes, very much. But he understands that science is not all good. There's always bad things we can't always fix or avoid. At least that's what they would always end up agreeing on. Is there a problem with...oh my, is Michael okay? Is that why you're asking me all this?"
"Ma'am, we're just investigating and collecting evidence for now. But I assure you we will keep in touch with you and let you know how it all goes. I understand you've rejected protective custody but have agreed to police surveillance."
"Yes, I'd like to remain close to home. But I understand there's a possibility that whoever killed Larry might come after me. I've got grandchildren on the way I'd like to see born, gentlemen."
Harm and Clay smiled. "Of course" Rising, both men headed towards the door and with one last goodbye they headed for their car.
"Now, how was that for an interview."
"Pretty damn, confusing, Clay. Pretty damn, confusing"
LLNL
TUESDAY JUNE 11, 2002
1730 PST
Dr. Michael Ashton was not dealing well with this new development. He had seen the look on the Colonel's face when she'd interviewed him. But that was the least of his problems at the moment. Nicole Avery was his problem.
There had always been something different about her, he thought. She was not your typical first year graduate student. So he had followed her. And he had figured it out. Nicole Avery, or whoever she was, was not someone a person in his position could afford to have too close. Minutes before, she'd come around his lab station and had casually asked about his relationship with Dr. Jones. In any other circumstance, he would've taken her attention to mean she was interested in his work. That she admired him, like he knew so many other people did.
What a shame. He really liked Nicole. Until last night, when he'd seen her leave the lawyer's hotel in the outskirts of Livermore. Why would she talk to them after hours? If he hadn't seen her, he'd probably fall for her act. But not now. He was suspicious enough of her, and figured a woman of her shape and size couldn't be too hard to dispose of. He couldn't afford any more mistakes. Not after Laura. God only knew what she'd be capable of doing after their argument the night before. It was already June. October would roll around soon enough, and Dr. March had to be next. It all had to fall in place.
Sitting silently at his desk, Michael Ashton wondered if he was insane. Was he? No, he thought. Insane were the people who saw what the bad side of science was doing to the world and still sponsored and supported it. And all for what? For money, for power, for control. All the things he had wanted once, but now repulsed. He didn't want money, he didn't want power, he didn't even want control. He just wanted to prevent the people who had it, or wanted it, from imposing it on others who had no way of defending themselves. Like his father.
His father was an angel, in Michael's eyes. What had he done to deserve what happened to him? Nothing. And neither had the people who died every year as consequence of nuclear and chemical explosives. Now, *that* was insane. Science was not meant for that. It was meant to help people, to make life better, easier, smarter. It was ultimately meant to bring life, not destroy it.
Making sure N Division research at Livermore was destroyed was his ultimate goal. At first, he'd thought Dr. Rasdja's death would be enough to quiet N Division down. But no. Along had come Dr. Fleming, with his flowery propositions and ideas for the Division to continue on Dr. Rasdja's footsteps. So, he'd had no choice but to eliminate that threat as well. It'd surely taken him a few years to find the courage to do it. But he'd finally done it. And he couldn't be more proud. His father, he was sure, would be proud.
He remembered the anonymous letters written to the CIA, denouncing Dr. Rasdja's involvement with FFChem before his death. He'd thought that would be a safe way to prevent him from ongoing research. But CIA had dismissed the information, leaving him with no choice but to execute plan B.
With Dr. Fleming, he hadn't even bothered. The idea had evolved from year to year until he could no longer control it. And finally, he'd killed him too.
Because of his knowledge of Lt. Fleming's relationship with his uncle, he'd found it simple enough to set him up, playing on his search for his father, and enlisting the help of Laura Smith, the gullible woman who'd panted after him for years, and who also happened to be the supervisor at the Consolidated Evidence Facility at NCIS San Diego. All he'd had to do was sleep with her a few times and it was done. He'd been amazed at his ability to put it together so fast, and in the end, he'd thought he'd done a pretty good job.
Now, another obstacle showed its ugly head, and he was confident he'd find a way to overcome it. He had to. Nicole Avery had to be dealt with.
HARM'S HOTEL ROOM
1815 PST
Mac sat in the old burgundy chair. It sure was uncomfortable, but she wasn't paying much attention that the moment. There were so many possibilities running through her mind. She needed a sounding board. She needed Harm.
"You're late" She accused with narrowed eyes as Clay and Harm made their way across the room towards them. Clay stiffened at once, thinking Annika was in the room as well. Glancing around nervously he realized she wasn't and he let a sigh of relief escape before his worried mind picked up on her absence. Annika was never late.
"Where's Annika?" Clay demanded at once. And Mac smiled. He's not in love with her, my ass.
"She's on her way. Called a few minutes ago"
"Okay" he seemed satisfied with the answer for now, so Mac turned her attention to Harm.
"She called Clay *the* 'brain-dead monkey'," Mac said matter-of-factly, as if stating some known fact. Clay's eyebrows rose, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"She did?" he asked softly.
"Yeah" Mac answered, still looking at Harm.
"I'm not even going to ask" this from Harm who'd been busy taking off his uniform jacket. Mac made a slow whistling sound as he unfastened his tie and he simply smirked as he took in the twinkle in her eyes.
"Down, Marine"
Mac's smile could melt ice. "You're no fun, Harm." His eyebrows rose in playful questioning.
Clay's face contorted with discomfort with every second that passed. "Holy... would you two stop it?" Harm and Mac's laughter bubbled as Clay rolled his eyes in defeat; his arms crossed in front of him waiting for them to give it a rest.
"How did it go?" Mac asked after their laughter had subsided enough. Harm came closer, taking a seat across from her in the edge of the bed. Immediately, her hand reached out to take his, and he smiled as her fingers automatically began to run over his bigger hand. It wasn't a conscious thing. She just did it. Every time they were close and she knew she could touch him, she'd take his hand in hers and caress it. He loved it.
"Well enough. I think we have enough to start thinking of getting Lt. Fleming out of the brig."
"Really? Well Annika and I have a few ideas of our own. But you go first."
"Well, we spoke to Mrs. Jones today"
"And..."
"She told us a little about Dr. Michael Ashton. Take a look at this" Clay spoke as he reached inside his briefcase and withdrew the folder he'd shown Harm earlier. Mac studied it for a while and then looked up at Clay.
"Wow. Okay, this is exactly what Annika and I were talking about earlier today. Why don't we..." The knock at the door interrupted her.
"You expecting someone?"
Clay shook his head. Harm moved closer to the door, looked through the peephole and frowned slightly.
"It's a woman," he whispered the answer to Clay and Mac, who'd asked in the same tone of voice. Slowly, he opened the door wider, taking in the nervous stance of their female visitor.
"Hello Commander Rabb. I'm Laura Smith, NCIS."
TBC
Author: LeE
e-mail: lee_81881@yahoo.com
Classification: Romance H/M, Clay/Annika
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 9
"I sure hope you're not talking about love, Colonel. I'm not in love with, Clay. And he's not in love with me. I love him as my friend, and my partner, and that's all. It's just a little blurry right now because his emotional world is being turned upside down and he's confused. It'll pass. I know."
"Is this part of what you have experience on?" Annika looked away, and Mac relented. "Okay, look. How do you know it's just confusion and not something else?"
"I just do" 'It always is' she added silently. Once again Annika's eyes focused on a point to her left and Mac could sense the end of their female bonding time. Her shields were firmly in place when she looked back. "Anyway, as soon as Harm and the brain-dead monkey return, you make sure to interrogate them. And I'll see you all for dinner then."
Mac sat still for a second, trying to figure out if Annika had actually realized what she'd called her partner. Annika looked over at her from her position near the door and winked.
"Don't tell him I called him that. He'd hate me for not telling him to his face," and with that she left, leaving a laughing Marine behind to mountains of unread files.
PART 10
AMANDA JONES'S TEMPORARY APARTMENT
LIVERMORE, CA
1435 PT
"I'm sorry this place is not more accommodating. I just couldn't stay near the house," Amanda Jones explained as she allowed the two men entrance to her temporary housing.
"It's not a problem. We appreciate you meeting with us, Mrs. Jones" Clay spoke politely as they crossed the short distance towards the sofa in the corner of the small apartment.
"I understand you have a job to do. I want to know who killed my husband too. And I want to know why." Amanda's silvery streaked hair curved lightly around her round face, her blue eyes wide with emotion as she fought the tears that threatened once again. Harm could only nod.
"Ma'am. Your housekeeper has come forward with information that might be useful to our investigation. She testified to have seen a man leaving out the backyard door as she was coming in the house the afternoon of your husband's murder. Do you have any idea who would have access to your home other than Mrs. Garcia? There was no apparent forced entry, and Mrs. Garcia pointed out the two dogs did not make a sound."
Amanda seemed thoughtful for a few seconds. "Well, other than Mikey, I can't really think of anyone. He feeds our dogs when we're away."
"Mikey?"
"I'm sorry. I still think of him as a child" she smiled embarrassedly. "Michael Ashton. Dr. Michael Ashton, I should say. I still can't believe he's a doctor already. Anyway, he's the only person other than Dorothy who has keys to the house." Amanda spoke quietly, not realizing the implications of what she was stating. Clay and Harm exchanged worried glances. It was one thing to have a theory, but this new revelation was alarming.
"Ma'am. Were your husband and Dr. Ashton close?"
"Oh yes. Larry was like a second father to Michael. After his father died, in that terrible car accident..."
"Car accident, ma'am?" Clay knew all this. He just didn't think confronting Mrs. Jones with all the facts was smart. He wanted her side of the story after all. So he feigned ignorance.
"Yes. Michael's father died a few years ago. 1997 to be exact. His car exploded. It was a shame. Michael took it terribly bad. He didn't speak to anyone for months, and finally Larry was able to get him to open up a little. They started to bond, if you will. Michael had always been like a son to us. Larry and Jeffrey, Michael's father, had gone to college together at UC Berkley."
"So you would say your husband was closer to Michael than he was to most people in his workplace?"
"Oh yes. Michael and Larry often took trips together. After his father's death, Michael got involved deeply in anti-nuclear groups and things of that sort. Michael loves environmental science, and Larry did too. So, he would make sure to accompany Michael when there were conferences and meetings regarding environmental science and nuclear chemistry research. I remember their heated debates over the advantages and disadvantages of N Division research at Livermore. They talked about it all the time. Now, don't think I know exactly what it all means" she laughed lightly "Years of being married to a scientist, well you pick up things here and there you know?"
"Of course" Clay indulged her with a polite smile. "Ma'am, you mentioned N Division research? Dr. Ashton is opposed to this kind of research?"
"Yes, very much. But he understands that science is not all good. There's always bad things we can't always fix or avoid. At least that's what they would always end up agreeing on. Is there a problem with...oh my, is Michael okay? Is that why you're asking me all this?"
"Ma'am, we're just investigating and collecting evidence for now. But I assure you we will keep in touch with you and let you know how it all goes. I understand you've rejected protective custody but have agreed to police surveillance."
"Yes, I'd like to remain close to home. But I understand there's a possibility that whoever killed Larry might come after me. I've got grandchildren on the way I'd like to see born, gentlemen."
Harm and Clay smiled. "Of course" Rising, both men headed towards the door and with one last goodbye they headed for their car.
"Now, how was that for an interview."
"Pretty damn, confusing, Clay. Pretty damn, confusing"
LLNL
TUESDAY JUNE 11, 2002
1730 PST
Dr. Michael Ashton was not dealing well with this new development. He had seen the look on the Colonel's face when she'd interviewed him. But that was the least of his problems at the moment. Nicole Avery was his problem.
There had always been something different about her, he thought. She was not your typical first year graduate student. So he had followed her. And he had figured it out. Nicole Avery, or whoever she was, was not someone a person in his position could afford to have too close. Minutes before, she'd come around his lab station and had casually asked about his relationship with Dr. Jones. In any other circumstance, he would've taken her attention to mean she was interested in his work. That she admired him, like he knew so many other people did.
What a shame. He really liked Nicole. Until last night, when he'd seen her leave the lawyer's hotel in the outskirts of Livermore. Why would she talk to them after hours? If he hadn't seen her, he'd probably fall for her act. But not now. He was suspicious enough of her, and figured a woman of her shape and size couldn't be too hard to dispose of. He couldn't afford any more mistakes. Not after Laura. God only knew what she'd be capable of doing after their argument the night before. It was already June. October would roll around soon enough, and Dr. March had to be next. It all had to fall in place.
Sitting silently at his desk, Michael Ashton wondered if he was insane. Was he? No, he thought. Insane were the people who saw what the bad side of science was doing to the world and still sponsored and supported it. And all for what? For money, for power, for control. All the things he had wanted once, but now repulsed. He didn't want money, he didn't want power, he didn't even want control. He just wanted to prevent the people who had it, or wanted it, from imposing it on others who had no way of defending themselves. Like his father.
His father was an angel, in Michael's eyes. What had he done to deserve what happened to him? Nothing. And neither had the people who died every year as consequence of nuclear and chemical explosives. Now, *that* was insane. Science was not meant for that. It was meant to help people, to make life better, easier, smarter. It was ultimately meant to bring life, not destroy it.
Making sure N Division research at Livermore was destroyed was his ultimate goal. At first, he'd thought Dr. Rasdja's death would be enough to quiet N Division down. But no. Along had come Dr. Fleming, with his flowery propositions and ideas for the Division to continue on Dr. Rasdja's footsteps. So, he'd had no choice but to eliminate that threat as well. It'd surely taken him a few years to find the courage to do it. But he'd finally done it. And he couldn't be more proud. His father, he was sure, would be proud.
He remembered the anonymous letters written to the CIA, denouncing Dr. Rasdja's involvement with FFChem before his death. He'd thought that would be a safe way to prevent him from ongoing research. But CIA had dismissed the information, leaving him with no choice but to execute plan B.
With Dr. Fleming, he hadn't even bothered. The idea had evolved from year to year until he could no longer control it. And finally, he'd killed him too.
Because of his knowledge of Lt. Fleming's relationship with his uncle, he'd found it simple enough to set him up, playing on his search for his father, and enlisting the help of Laura Smith, the gullible woman who'd panted after him for years, and who also happened to be the supervisor at the Consolidated Evidence Facility at NCIS San Diego. All he'd had to do was sleep with her a few times and it was done. He'd been amazed at his ability to put it together so fast, and in the end, he'd thought he'd done a pretty good job.
Now, another obstacle showed its ugly head, and he was confident he'd find a way to overcome it. He had to. Nicole Avery had to be dealt with.
HARM'S HOTEL ROOM
1815 PST
Mac sat in the old burgundy chair. It sure was uncomfortable, but she wasn't paying much attention that the moment. There were so many possibilities running through her mind. She needed a sounding board. She needed Harm.
"You're late" She accused with narrowed eyes as Clay and Harm made their way across the room towards them. Clay stiffened at once, thinking Annika was in the room as well. Glancing around nervously he realized she wasn't and he let a sigh of relief escape before his worried mind picked up on her absence. Annika was never late.
"Where's Annika?" Clay demanded at once. And Mac smiled. He's not in love with her, my ass.
"She's on her way. Called a few minutes ago"
"Okay" he seemed satisfied with the answer for now, so Mac turned her attention to Harm.
"She called Clay *the* 'brain-dead monkey'," Mac said matter-of-factly, as if stating some known fact. Clay's eyebrows rose, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"She did?" he asked softly.
"Yeah" Mac answered, still looking at Harm.
"I'm not even going to ask" this from Harm who'd been busy taking off his uniform jacket. Mac made a slow whistling sound as he unfastened his tie and he simply smirked as he took in the twinkle in her eyes.
"Down, Marine"
Mac's smile could melt ice. "You're no fun, Harm." His eyebrows rose in playful questioning.
Clay's face contorted with discomfort with every second that passed. "Holy... would you two stop it?" Harm and Mac's laughter bubbled as Clay rolled his eyes in defeat; his arms crossed in front of him waiting for them to give it a rest.
"How did it go?" Mac asked after their laughter had subsided enough. Harm came closer, taking a seat across from her in the edge of the bed. Immediately, her hand reached out to take his, and he smiled as her fingers automatically began to run over his bigger hand. It wasn't a conscious thing. She just did it. Every time they were close and she knew she could touch him, she'd take his hand in hers and caress it. He loved it.
"Well enough. I think we have enough to start thinking of getting Lt. Fleming out of the brig."
"Really? Well Annika and I have a few ideas of our own. But you go first."
"Well, we spoke to Mrs. Jones today"
"And..."
"She told us a little about Dr. Michael Ashton. Take a look at this" Clay spoke as he reached inside his briefcase and withdrew the folder he'd shown Harm earlier. Mac studied it for a while and then looked up at Clay.
"Wow. Okay, this is exactly what Annika and I were talking about earlier today. Why don't we..." The knock at the door interrupted her.
"You expecting someone?"
Clay shook his head. Harm moved closer to the door, looked through the peephole and frowned slightly.
"It's a woman," he whispered the answer to Clay and Mac, who'd asked in the same tone of voice. Slowly, he opened the door wider, taking in the nervous stance of their female visitor.
"Hello Commander Rabb. I'm Laura Smith, NCIS."
TBC