'Second Chance' - Conclusion
Author: Daenar
Disclaimer: See Part One
WARNING: This chapter will be dealing with character death!
A little helplessly, Dunston looked at Webb. "Then you don't know what happened at the embassy?"
Webb openly looked back at him. "Oh, I do know what happened. But I think the story should be told by someone who was there." Concern showing on his face, he slowly turned around. "Admiral?"
Bud squared his shoulders and resolutely stood. Nothing but a slight pallor told of his true state of mind. "I agree."
Ciloglu stood up and offered his seat to the JAG. Bud exchanged a strained but heartfelt smile with his wife and settled down in front of the camera. It was time for him to finally do his duty and live up to his beliefs.
Dunston sensed that this was the crucial point of the story. Giving the older man in front of him a sincere smile, he leaned slightly forward. "Admiral Roberts, you witnessed the explosion?"
Bud nodded. "Yes, I did."
"Where were you?"
"In the embassy's security center, observing the video screens."
"And where were Cmdr. Rabb and Col. Mackenzie?" Dunston's voice had lowered a little, dreading what was coming.
Outwardly, the admiral maintained his unperturbed state of mind, but his eyes clearly conveyed the fear he was feeling at the prospect of having to relive what he had tried to block out of his memory for so many years. "When Commander Rabb hadn't been able to reach Director Webb, he woke me up and we immediately rushed over to the embassy. The guards knew us as the officers investigating Coen, so they let us pass. Rabb and Mackenzie didn't want to cause any panic as they didn't have any concrete proof to underline the commander's unbelievable theory yet.
"So they conducted the search by themselves with the help of the embassy's security, ordering me to go to the video observation room and review the night's tapes. I could see them searching the building. The colonel and the commander were inspecting the embassy's basement. After about twenty minutes they suddenly appeared on the screen showing the secluded bunker. God, I can't do this..." Bud's speech had reduced to a pained whisper and he briefly squeezed his eyes shut, taking several deep breaths.
Jeff Dunston signaled to his cameraman to stop filming. The sound technician switched off his recorder. Then the reporter gently placed a hand on Roberts' arm. "Take your time, sir. We are in no hurry here."
Drawing a shaky breath, Bud offered a brief smile. "Thank you, but I'll be okay."
July 4th, 2003 0713 ZULU American Embassy Berlin, Germany
Coming out of the conference room, Harm leaned back against the corridor's wall, closing his eyes and exhaling in defeat. He heard the embassy's security officers pass him, murmuring words of barely veiled contempt but nevertheless executing his orders - that were not more than recommendations, to be exact - to spread and once again search the building, turning over every last pebble.
He felt Mac step up to him and opened his eyes, glancing at her with a wry smile.
Sighing, she placed a soothing hand on his arm, her gaze full of compassion. "I told you they wouldn't believe you."
Harm drew a quick breath and pushed himself away from the wall. "Kind of reassuring to know that my reputation was already ruined before. At least it won't be damaged any further."
After having sent Bud to review the tapes, they had security search the conference room, given the fact that the delegations were already taking a first cup of coffee in the embassy's backyard, waiting to gather in said room. This would have been the most obvious spot to place a bomb if someone wanted to make sure that all the intended victims would be taken out for good. And of course, it had been searched countless times already.
In less than ten minutes, the four presidential limousines were due to arrive. Mac gave Harm's arm a friendly nudge. "Come on, flyboy, the basement's waiting."
"Aye, ma'am," he said with a low sigh and he and Mac descended to the area of the building that they had assigned to themselves for the search.
Compared to the nobility of style that the building showed all over, the basement seemed not just humble but outright neglected. The walls were bare concrete, the long corridors only dimly lit. There were few rooms down there, all closed with heavy fire-proof doors. As they slowly worked their way from one to the next, never discovering even a hint of a trace, Harm felt like screaming in utter frustration. His gut kept telling him that something was up - but neither he and Mac, nor Bud, nor anyone else involved in the search seemed to have encountered any evidence whatsoever.
Approaching the end of the main corridor, having passed the boiler room, several supply storage rooms, a room with spare furniture, the laundry-room and a few other things that Harm would have expected in a hotel but not really in a building designed for diplomatic representation, he turned to open the last door before they would get to the secluded bunker, the 'Panic Room', as Mac had immediately called it because it fatally resembled the ultra-security installments in the Jodie Foster movie.
"Okay," Mac wiped her forehead in exasperation. "What's next?"
Harm looked at the plan of the embassy that he had obtained from the security chief. "This has got to be that strange air-exchange thing that Cross mentioned earlier." He frowned, mentally shaking his head at this particular feature the building offered. Germany had severe laws for environmental protection. Taxes on fuel and energy were ludicrously high, so every architect included plans for energy-savings for any building, even if he wasn't asked to do so. And once the plans existed they were normally carried out.
The air exchange was a support function for the central heating. Once the building's air conditioner was working, the warm exhaust wouldn't be blown out but reinserted into a second air circulation that was running within the walls. If needed it could be used as support for the normal heating in the rooms. Every room had a ventilation flap that could be opened for the warm air to stream in. In case of a fire in the building, the ordinary air conditioner would be automatically shut down. But the secondary unit's ventilation flaps in all the rooms could be opened from the security center, providing a means of ridding the rooms of smoke without creating dangerous air currents.
On the first floor, the system had been slightly damaged by Coen's attack, but repair crews had set it in order two days ago. So now the extra ventilation was peacefully humming along, providing the only sound that was currently disturbing the grave silence that dominated the whole basement.
Harm took a careful look around the room, then switched off the lights, motioned for Mac to come out of the dark room and was about to close the door again when he heard her gasp. "Harm! Wait!"
He jumped, instantly on high alert. "What's up?"
"There's a red light that's moving or flickering or whatever, over there, in the corner behind the door."
Harm immediately turned on the lights again - and the red flashing was gone. He again switched off the lights, and the flashing reappeared, barely noticeable. Rushing over, he identified it as something blinking within one of the exhaust tubes, shining through where the tube had a hairline crack.
He should have called security first but Harm didn't think that far. Applying a lot of force, he managed to squash the thin metal of the tube and insert a screwdriver that he had brought with him from the tool cabinet at the entrance to the basement, in case he needed it. Groaning low, he bended the metal, using the screwdriver as a lever, opening a hole to have a look at the flashing light. What he saw, made his heart stop.
02:24, 02:23, 02:22, 02:21...
"Shit..." he breathed tonelessly.
Mac sucked in her breath and immediately turned on the lights again. Inside the tube, a medium-sized pack of explosives, probably SEMTEX, was connected to a timer.
"This is too small," she murmured, confused. "It would probably cause considerable damage in the basement but..."
"Mac..." Harm's voice was suddenly tinged with raw panic. "Look down the tube."
"Oh my God!" Stumbling backward, she clasped a hand to her mouth. Down in the nearest curve sat a small gas cylinder. On it was printed a skull with crossed bones and underneath, the cylinder read T-2106.
Sarin.
These were people who didn't want to risk having survivors.
"The bomb is far too tightly wrapped to get through to the cables and disarm it in two minutes." Harm's voice was shaking and he was speaking very quickly. "We have to get it out of the ventilation system and have it explode somewhere where it won't damage the gas cylinder. There's only one place..."
Mac's eyes were widened in pain and fear but she nodded. "The bunker. You get the bomb out, I'll call security."
The walkie-talkie emitted strong static as she pressed the speaker button. "Security, this is Colonel Mackenzie! Bomb in the basement, T minus one- thirty!" Although she knew it was impossible to secure the building in time, Mac desperately added: "Evacuate immediately, repeat, evacuate ASAP!!" Her voice was unusually high-pitched.
01:43, 01:42, 01:41...
With the help of the screwdriver, Harm managed to destroy the tube and extract the explosive device. Running for their and everyone else's lives, he and Mac sprinted the last meters to the bunker, deposited the bomb inside, rushed out again and - suddenly stared at one another in a feeling of such tremendous horror they had never thought existed.
The doors could be closed and bolted only from within.
Ignoring the tears that were suddenly blurring his vision, Harm fiercely pulled Mac close and kissed her. "I love you, Sarah!" he choked out. "Run!!"
Mac needed only a split second to come out of her sudden paralysis. "NO WAY!" she cried forcefully. "I love you, too, Harm, and I want you safe! Go! You have a family, I don't! I love you!"
"I won't leave you down here, Mac!" Damn, couldn't she just for once do what he told her to?
01:01, 01:00, 00:59...
Both entered the bunker at the same time, glaring at each other in sheer despair. Suddenly, though, Harm surrendered. They had no time to fight and he knew he wouldn't win anyway.
Drawing a deep breath and letting it out slowly, steeling him for what would follow, he closed the heavy security door and firmly bolted it. Then, he turned around and looked at his partner. His best friend. His one true love.
The tearstains on her face matched his own, but she was composed and calm as she stepped into his embrace, burying her face in the curve of his neck.
"I'm so sorry, Sarah," she heard him whisper in a nearly suffocated voice. "I wasted so much time..."
"Don't, Harm," she cut in, sobbing softly. "Let's share our last moments without regrets. It just wasn't meant to be."
00:32, 00:31, 00:30...
They held on to each other as firmly as they could, wanting to remember every detail, the feel, the warmth, the perfume, the caresses. Despair was tearing them apart and yet they were in perfect, soothing spiritual union.
"I love you so much..." Harm's voice was very low. "Thank you for letting me experience what it means to really love somebody and be loved in return. Thank you..."
"Thank *you*, Harmon, for giving me a glimpse at the life I've been longing for for such a long time. Although we weren't allowed to have it, I know at least what happiness feels like." Mac lifted her glance to his and once again lost herself in his beautiful eyes, so pained and yet so warm.
00:13, 00:12, 00:11...
Harm leaned in and kissed the woman that meant the world to him for one last time. "Goodbye, Sarah," he whispered. Tenderly, he cupped her face, caressing her tears away with his thumb just the way he had done it so many times in the past years. "Maybe one day, in another life, God will give us a second chance."
Mac's beautiful features lit up in an angelic smile. "I'll be waiting."
Lost in each other's loving glance, they barely noticed as the wave of fire swallowed them, instantly taking them on their ultimate journey.
And as the distant light started to grow brighter, they became aware that finally, they were joined for eternity.
August 1st, 2033 2338 ZULU JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA
Rear Admiral Bud Jay Roberts, Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy, was sitting in his chair, slumped over, his face in his hands, crying helplessly. Years, decades even of dreadful pressure had suddenly been lifted off his heart. Unimaginable relief warred in his soul with the inconsolable grief that he was finally allowed to show. He was lost but at the same time, he had found himself in having done what he had so desperately longed to.
Tears on her face, Harriet knelt down at her husband's side, embracing him without saying anything. Silently, those who had listened now closed the circle, offering support and consolation in their own, timid way.
Trish was the first to remember who had initiated the process that had led them to this point. Supported by Sergei, she stepped up to Dave and both shared a long, silent hug, making the young man understand that the lady in his arms was finally able to tell her son 'Goodbye'.
"Thank you, Captain," Trish said in a very low but steady voice. Then she let him go and embraced Cate, pulling her tight. "And you, Lieutenant. You can't even begin to understand how much this means to me."
The two young JAGs didn't know what to say. Simultaneously, they reached for the other's hand, holding on to the safety of that anchor.
Suddenly, they found themselves face to face with their CO and instantly snapped to attention.
"Admiral, sir!"
Bud drew a still shaky breath but managed to smile. "I know I will have to go the official way to bring this about but as the Secretary of the Navy is with us today, I am sure he will know what to do and I can take the liberty to ask what's on my mind. Lieutenant Raleigh, Captain Mackerras, would you consent to stepping in for Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Rabb when they will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor?"
August 22nd, 2033 2328 ZULU The White House Rose Garden Washington, D.C.
David Mackerras had been in a pensive mood all day. Too much had transpired in the incredibly short period of six weeks since he had been standing on this very stage, facing the President, receiving his DFC.
The scenario was just the same. Dress Blues, Dress Whites, a marching band, the President, his CO with his wife, a lot of high-ranking Navy and Marine Corps personnel, bright sunshine, a warm summer wind...
And yet - Dave felt as if he were years older than he had been six weeks ago. True, his age started with a '3' now but that wasn't it. The experience of what he had been through during the last few weeks had somehow shifted his priorities. Or maybe not... No, his beliefs and convictions were the same, he had merely reaffirmed the fact that he fought for the right things. But all the pain he had witnessed in other people, all the struggles of being caught in between duty and conscience, the burdens that life could bring - at times, Dave had almost felt afraid of not being able to face what might lie in store for him.
His admiration for Admiral Roberts had risen beyond belief. This man, who had already endured so much before witnessing the catastrophe, this man who had willingly sacrificed his honor, his self-respect and his peace of mind in order to protect the ones he loved. For thirty years, he had carried the burden of living with the lie, building up a strong façade to hide the pain that kept raging in his soul, going on with his life as if nothing had happened. Dave was convinced that nothing but the very deepest love could make someone take that much upon himself.
And once he had managed to understand his CO's motivation - not only from the head, but from the heart - Dave had discovered two conflicting emotions within himself. He felt awed, and he felt envious. What an incredible gift to be allowed to love someone so much that everything else became insignificant.
Dave had never in his life been allowed to experience love with all its implications. Or so he had thought. But then, unconsciously at first, understanding had grown in his mind until, just a few days ago, he had become aware that he might have it within reach. Right now, standing at attention, he wasn't able to cast a glance to his right side, but he didn't need to. He could feel her presence. Catherine Raleigh was with him and just a few days ago, Dave had finally been able to admit to himself that he wanted her with him wherever he went. But... would she want it, too?
The doubts were eating him alive.
Luckily, right now he had something else to concentrate on. The President had left the speaker's podium to Retired Admiral Sturgis Turner who now took his stand and faced the audience, covering his emotions by shuffling the papers of his speech until he felt ready to begin.
"More than forty years ago," Sturgis began, his voice surprisingly stable, "I met a young man who was a midshipman at the Naval Academy, just like me. And from the moment we presented ourselves to each other, I got the distinct feeling that Harmon Rabb, Jr., was special. There was a gleam in his eyes that showed determination, passion and an almost unhealthy quantity of deeply running emotions that would soon distinguish him from many of my comrades. He was to become one of my truest friends.
"This emotional side of his character often got him in trouble and more than once I was seriously worried that he'd never make it to full lieutenant before ending up in a court-martial. But without his tendency of turning what he believed in into a personal crusade, he would never have become the person whom we've gathered here today to honor. Regardless of what he was doing at whatever time I met him after the Academy, whether he was flying or being a lawyer, this passion and devotion to what Harmon Rabb thought was just and right and true never left him. And I started wondering if he would ever find a person whose character matched his. He did.
"I came to know Sarah Mackenzie when she and Commander Rabb had already been working together for more than five years. This would be an amount of time that, for others, would suffice three times to make a working relationship become routine. Not for them. They were equal in their determination to serve the right cause as well as in their deep loyalty to each other, their co-workers and their country. But they were profoundly different in how they approached their goals. Where Rabb was passionate, Mackenzie was considerate. Where Rabb followed his intuition, Mackenzie would apply logic. Where Rabb threatened to lose his footing, Mackenzie would be down-to-earth enough to keep them both on the ground. It was this difference in mentality that had them disagree far more often than many partnerships would have been able to survive. And it was just that difference in mentality that made them the team they were.
"Neither of them ever put their own lives first when difficult situations needed immediate action. For them, this was no issue at all - it was the way they saw their duty and they felt committed to what they had sworn to do. Maybe it was this exemplary attitude that made God grant them more luck than most people would think possible, saving them from many situations that most would not have survived. We are all grateful for the good they did while they were with us. But we are infinitely more indebted to them for what they did in the full awareness that they were making the hardest sacrifice ever: Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, United States Marine Corps, and Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., United States Navy, decided to sacrifice their lives and their devotion to each other for the safeguard of the people that, back then, depended on them. Today we can only award them the Medal of Honor. May God eternally reward them for their deed."
While everyone present was desperately trying to keep their emotions in check, Sturgis motioned for a Marine lieutenant and an Ensign to follow him to the center of the podium. Each of the young men was carrying a cushion with a case.
"Lieutenant Catherine Raleigh, Captain David Mackerras, front and center!"
Cate and Dave stepped forward and snapped to attention again in front of Sturgis. The admiral cast both of them barely noticeable smiles as he pinned the medals to their uniforms and then saluted. The President had left her seat and paid her compliments to the two young JAGs who had taken the places of their deceased colleagues. It would have been her task to conduct the awarding ceremony but just like everyone present, she appreciated the fact that a true friend of the heroes was here today to do it.
Upon command, all military members present saluted. As everyone stood in deep silence, a drum roll was heard. Then the band's solo trumpet played the fanfare of honor while four enlisted, two Navy and two Marines, were slowly lowering and then folding two Star-Spangled Banners that had been fluttering next to the podium. A staff sergeant and a petty officer then climbed the stairs to the stage and halted in front of Cate and Dave, handing them the neat triangles of cloth.
"On behalf of a grateful nation," Sturgis declared solemnly.
Down in the public, the people in the front row, colleagues, friends and family, each reached for their neighbors' hands as the roar of the jets flying the Missing Man in honor of the two officers grew louder and louder.
Bud Jay Roberts again felt his tears rise as, directly above them, two of the jets left the line and soared off into the blue sky. 'Justice has been done,' he thought with an inward calm that he had forgotten existed.
After the ceremony, Cate and Dave had excused themselves, feeling the need to take a stroll through the garden for a little emotional chill-out. They were walking in silence, enjoying each other's company, deeply content with what they had been able to bring about - and just a little sad that the adventure was now definitely over.
Cate inwardly sighed. She had gotten accustomed to not needing an excuse to call her partner in the middle of the night, to spend hours talking on the phone or come over for dinner and coffee. She would miss their traveling, their closeness that had developed during this extraordinary case. She knew they needed to somehow go back to 'normal' now, but after what they'd been through, after all the dangers, all the uncertainties, all the time and strength devoted to their quest, after the one unexpected, yet incredibly beautiful kiss they had shared - what was 'normal' anymore?
Last night, Cate had finally been able to admit to herself that she had fallen in love with the man who was walking beside her. True, she had had similar feelings for a long time now, but she had always been inclined to dismiss them as caused by their metaphysical, cosmic, purely coincidental - or whatever one might feel inclined to call it - link to Rabb and Mackenzie. Only now that the investigation was over had she had the quiet and the time to sort out her own heart. And she had found it tied tightly to Dave's, in a way that was unknown to her, that somehow scared her but at the same time felt like heaven. Cate had no idea what Dave would think about her feelings, or how she could possibly allow them to prevail in her heart, now that they were going back to the normal JAG routine. She only knew that she would hurt tremendously to deny what she was feeling. 'Mac, I guess I'm starting to understand what you must have gone through,' she addressed her unknown twin like she had done so often during the last weeks.
Suddenly, Dave slowed down his pace, causing Cate to follow suit. Eventually he stopped, an uneasy, almost frightened expression on his face. Cate's eyebrows went up slightly in astonishment. "Hey, Marine, what's up? You okay?"
Dave nervously cleared his throat and looked down at his feet, trying to hide his confusion. "Dammit, I've been thinking forever about how this was going to work but..." he murmured, more to himself than to her.
"What?"
He looked up, finally willing himself to meet her glance. She started when he gently took her right hand in his own. "Cate, I... this is probably going to sound pretty weird but... what I wanted to say is that you... I mean, this isn't just because of Harm and Mac... I..." He was lost.
His glance was full of endearing helplessness. She smiled compassionately, her free hand trembling slightly as she softly caressed his cheek, not caring if anyone might see them. "Take your time. Try again."
Dave swallowed. Maybe this was the only chance he would ever get. 'Don't screw it up, Stearman,' he told himself, almost hearing Harm order him to get a grip. He took a deep breath. Do or die trying.
"Cate, believe it or not, I'm in love with you. And I'm in head over heels. You are my first thought when I wake and the last before I go to sleep. You are in my dreams and you're with me everywhere I go. I swear, this is definitely not because of Rabb and Mackenzie. It's you, Cate, only and entirely you. And if I learned one thing from our alter egos, it's that you'd better tell the one you love as soon as you get the chance. I'm..."
Chuckling a little helplessly, he for a moment averted his eyes, but then raised his glance again to hers. "I'm scared as hell about what's going on inside me, but I've decided to take the plunge, because everything else is less important than you are. Believe me, Cate, I'm well aware that this is the craziest thing I've ever done. But I don't care because I feel it's the right thing to do. Cate, will you marry me?" With one hand he reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a stunningly beautiful sapphire solitaire.
Cate was speechless. She looked down confusedly, looked up again into his beautiful eyes that were of the exact same color as the stone, then turned her head to the side to stare somewhere indefinite, swallowing, only to turn her glance back and meet his again that told of cold fear of being rejected... and of love and readiness to commit.
Tears rose quickly in Cate's eyes. Still she could find no words. Two or three times she tried to speak but shut her mouth again. Eventually, she decided to act instead of speaking. A teary but radiant smile was spreading over her face as she closed the distance, stretched up and very tenderly kissed Dave on the lips. Then she drew back, taking in the bewildered expression on his face that slowly turned to joy. With trembling fingers she took the ring from him and tried to put it on her left hand, failing because the trembling kept increasing and her vision was blurred. But then she felt his gentle hands guide hers and the ring easily slid into place. Unable to speak himself, Dave pulled her close and held her.
"I love you so much, my ladysquid," she eventually heard him whisper against her hair.
"I love you, too, jarhead," she managed to choke out, overwhelmed.
When they heard a throat being cleared behind them, they broke apart, smiling embarrassedly. Admiral Roberts, with Captain Sims at his side, was observing the scene. Both seniors were grinning.
"Did I just witness something that I might have to sue you for?" Bud asked, his tone conspiratorial.
Dave straightened, took Cate's left hand in his right and looked his CO in the eyes. "You did, sir," he only answered, his voice firm.
Just then, Harriet inhaled sharply. "My God, Lieutenant, is that an engagement ring you're wearing?"
Bud instantly stared at Cate's left hand, swallowing his astonishment.
Cate cast Dave a loving smile before she met Harriet's glance. "Yes, ma'am, it is."
Bud gave the Marine captain a sharp stare. "You've known each other for six weeks now. Don't you think this is rather... rash?"
Dave's gaze didn't waver. His reply came accompanied by a slight, open, joyful smile. "We've been running for almost forty years now, sir," was all he said.
Bud and Harriet sucked in their breaths, staring first at them, then at each other. Harriet frantically held on to Bud's arm in search of something to lean on, whereas the admiral suddenly began to look around confusedly, his eyes misty, chuckling incredulously. He kept shaking his head, trying to calm down and get his astonishment in check. Eventually, he let his subordinates see a radiant smile that did nothing to hide his threatening tears. His voice was hoarse but rang with joy.
"Well... it was about damned time!!"
****************************
What do you do When love comes along And offers your heart A chance to move on With no guarantees No safety net You trust what you feel You take that first step
Just close your eyes Reach for the moment Before it slips by Here is your second chance Take it and fly
(Trisha Yearwood: 'Second Chance')
THE END
WARNING: This chapter will be dealing with character death!
A little helplessly, Dunston looked at Webb. "Then you don't know what happened at the embassy?"
Webb openly looked back at him. "Oh, I do know what happened. But I think the story should be told by someone who was there." Concern showing on his face, he slowly turned around. "Admiral?"
Bud squared his shoulders and resolutely stood. Nothing but a slight pallor told of his true state of mind. "I agree."
Ciloglu stood up and offered his seat to the JAG. Bud exchanged a strained but heartfelt smile with his wife and settled down in front of the camera. It was time for him to finally do his duty and live up to his beliefs.
Dunston sensed that this was the crucial point of the story. Giving the older man in front of him a sincere smile, he leaned slightly forward. "Admiral Roberts, you witnessed the explosion?"
Bud nodded. "Yes, I did."
"Where were you?"
"In the embassy's security center, observing the video screens."
"And where were Cmdr. Rabb and Col. Mackenzie?" Dunston's voice had lowered a little, dreading what was coming.
Outwardly, the admiral maintained his unperturbed state of mind, but his eyes clearly conveyed the fear he was feeling at the prospect of having to relive what he had tried to block out of his memory for so many years. "When Commander Rabb hadn't been able to reach Director Webb, he woke me up and we immediately rushed over to the embassy. The guards knew us as the officers investigating Coen, so they let us pass. Rabb and Mackenzie didn't want to cause any panic as they didn't have any concrete proof to underline the commander's unbelievable theory yet.
"So they conducted the search by themselves with the help of the embassy's security, ordering me to go to the video observation room and review the night's tapes. I could see them searching the building. The colonel and the commander were inspecting the embassy's basement. After about twenty minutes they suddenly appeared on the screen showing the secluded bunker. God, I can't do this..." Bud's speech had reduced to a pained whisper and he briefly squeezed his eyes shut, taking several deep breaths.
Jeff Dunston signaled to his cameraman to stop filming. The sound technician switched off his recorder. Then the reporter gently placed a hand on Roberts' arm. "Take your time, sir. We are in no hurry here."
Drawing a shaky breath, Bud offered a brief smile. "Thank you, but I'll be okay."
July 4th, 2003 0713 ZULU American Embassy Berlin, Germany
Coming out of the conference room, Harm leaned back against the corridor's wall, closing his eyes and exhaling in defeat. He heard the embassy's security officers pass him, murmuring words of barely veiled contempt but nevertheless executing his orders - that were not more than recommendations, to be exact - to spread and once again search the building, turning over every last pebble.
He felt Mac step up to him and opened his eyes, glancing at her with a wry smile.
Sighing, she placed a soothing hand on his arm, her gaze full of compassion. "I told you they wouldn't believe you."
Harm drew a quick breath and pushed himself away from the wall. "Kind of reassuring to know that my reputation was already ruined before. At least it won't be damaged any further."
After having sent Bud to review the tapes, they had security search the conference room, given the fact that the delegations were already taking a first cup of coffee in the embassy's backyard, waiting to gather in said room. This would have been the most obvious spot to place a bomb if someone wanted to make sure that all the intended victims would be taken out for good. And of course, it had been searched countless times already.
In less than ten minutes, the four presidential limousines were due to arrive. Mac gave Harm's arm a friendly nudge. "Come on, flyboy, the basement's waiting."
"Aye, ma'am," he said with a low sigh and he and Mac descended to the area of the building that they had assigned to themselves for the search.
Compared to the nobility of style that the building showed all over, the basement seemed not just humble but outright neglected. The walls were bare concrete, the long corridors only dimly lit. There were few rooms down there, all closed with heavy fire-proof doors. As they slowly worked their way from one to the next, never discovering even a hint of a trace, Harm felt like screaming in utter frustration. His gut kept telling him that something was up - but neither he and Mac, nor Bud, nor anyone else involved in the search seemed to have encountered any evidence whatsoever.
Approaching the end of the main corridor, having passed the boiler room, several supply storage rooms, a room with spare furniture, the laundry-room and a few other things that Harm would have expected in a hotel but not really in a building designed for diplomatic representation, he turned to open the last door before they would get to the secluded bunker, the 'Panic Room', as Mac had immediately called it because it fatally resembled the ultra-security installments in the Jodie Foster movie.
"Okay," Mac wiped her forehead in exasperation. "What's next?"
Harm looked at the plan of the embassy that he had obtained from the security chief. "This has got to be that strange air-exchange thing that Cross mentioned earlier." He frowned, mentally shaking his head at this particular feature the building offered. Germany had severe laws for environmental protection. Taxes on fuel and energy were ludicrously high, so every architect included plans for energy-savings for any building, even if he wasn't asked to do so. And once the plans existed they were normally carried out.
The air exchange was a support function for the central heating. Once the building's air conditioner was working, the warm exhaust wouldn't be blown out but reinserted into a second air circulation that was running within the walls. If needed it could be used as support for the normal heating in the rooms. Every room had a ventilation flap that could be opened for the warm air to stream in. In case of a fire in the building, the ordinary air conditioner would be automatically shut down. But the secondary unit's ventilation flaps in all the rooms could be opened from the security center, providing a means of ridding the rooms of smoke without creating dangerous air currents.
On the first floor, the system had been slightly damaged by Coen's attack, but repair crews had set it in order two days ago. So now the extra ventilation was peacefully humming along, providing the only sound that was currently disturbing the grave silence that dominated the whole basement.
Harm took a careful look around the room, then switched off the lights, motioned for Mac to come out of the dark room and was about to close the door again when he heard her gasp. "Harm! Wait!"
He jumped, instantly on high alert. "What's up?"
"There's a red light that's moving or flickering or whatever, over there, in the corner behind the door."
Harm immediately turned on the lights again - and the red flashing was gone. He again switched off the lights, and the flashing reappeared, barely noticeable. Rushing over, he identified it as something blinking within one of the exhaust tubes, shining through where the tube had a hairline crack.
He should have called security first but Harm didn't think that far. Applying a lot of force, he managed to squash the thin metal of the tube and insert a screwdriver that he had brought with him from the tool cabinet at the entrance to the basement, in case he needed it. Groaning low, he bended the metal, using the screwdriver as a lever, opening a hole to have a look at the flashing light. What he saw, made his heart stop.
02:24, 02:23, 02:22, 02:21...
"Shit..." he breathed tonelessly.
Mac sucked in her breath and immediately turned on the lights again. Inside the tube, a medium-sized pack of explosives, probably SEMTEX, was connected to a timer.
"This is too small," she murmured, confused. "It would probably cause considerable damage in the basement but..."
"Mac..." Harm's voice was suddenly tinged with raw panic. "Look down the tube."
"Oh my God!" Stumbling backward, she clasped a hand to her mouth. Down in the nearest curve sat a small gas cylinder. On it was printed a skull with crossed bones and underneath, the cylinder read T-2106.
Sarin.
These were people who didn't want to risk having survivors.
"The bomb is far too tightly wrapped to get through to the cables and disarm it in two minutes." Harm's voice was shaking and he was speaking very quickly. "We have to get it out of the ventilation system and have it explode somewhere where it won't damage the gas cylinder. There's only one place..."
Mac's eyes were widened in pain and fear but she nodded. "The bunker. You get the bomb out, I'll call security."
The walkie-talkie emitted strong static as she pressed the speaker button. "Security, this is Colonel Mackenzie! Bomb in the basement, T minus one- thirty!" Although she knew it was impossible to secure the building in time, Mac desperately added: "Evacuate immediately, repeat, evacuate ASAP!!" Her voice was unusually high-pitched.
01:43, 01:42, 01:41...
With the help of the screwdriver, Harm managed to destroy the tube and extract the explosive device. Running for their and everyone else's lives, he and Mac sprinted the last meters to the bunker, deposited the bomb inside, rushed out again and - suddenly stared at one another in a feeling of such tremendous horror they had never thought existed.
The doors could be closed and bolted only from within.
Ignoring the tears that were suddenly blurring his vision, Harm fiercely pulled Mac close and kissed her. "I love you, Sarah!" he choked out. "Run!!"
Mac needed only a split second to come out of her sudden paralysis. "NO WAY!" she cried forcefully. "I love you, too, Harm, and I want you safe! Go! You have a family, I don't! I love you!"
"I won't leave you down here, Mac!" Damn, couldn't she just for once do what he told her to?
01:01, 01:00, 00:59...
Both entered the bunker at the same time, glaring at each other in sheer despair. Suddenly, though, Harm surrendered. They had no time to fight and he knew he wouldn't win anyway.
Drawing a deep breath and letting it out slowly, steeling him for what would follow, he closed the heavy security door and firmly bolted it. Then, he turned around and looked at his partner. His best friend. His one true love.
The tearstains on her face matched his own, but she was composed and calm as she stepped into his embrace, burying her face in the curve of his neck.
"I'm so sorry, Sarah," she heard him whisper in a nearly suffocated voice. "I wasted so much time..."
"Don't, Harm," she cut in, sobbing softly. "Let's share our last moments without regrets. It just wasn't meant to be."
00:32, 00:31, 00:30...
They held on to each other as firmly as they could, wanting to remember every detail, the feel, the warmth, the perfume, the caresses. Despair was tearing them apart and yet they were in perfect, soothing spiritual union.
"I love you so much..." Harm's voice was very low. "Thank you for letting me experience what it means to really love somebody and be loved in return. Thank you..."
"Thank *you*, Harmon, for giving me a glimpse at the life I've been longing for for such a long time. Although we weren't allowed to have it, I know at least what happiness feels like." Mac lifted her glance to his and once again lost herself in his beautiful eyes, so pained and yet so warm.
00:13, 00:12, 00:11...
Harm leaned in and kissed the woman that meant the world to him for one last time. "Goodbye, Sarah," he whispered. Tenderly, he cupped her face, caressing her tears away with his thumb just the way he had done it so many times in the past years. "Maybe one day, in another life, God will give us a second chance."
Mac's beautiful features lit up in an angelic smile. "I'll be waiting."
Lost in each other's loving glance, they barely noticed as the wave of fire swallowed them, instantly taking them on their ultimate journey.
And as the distant light started to grow brighter, they became aware that finally, they were joined for eternity.
August 1st, 2033 2338 ZULU JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA
Rear Admiral Bud Jay Roberts, Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy, was sitting in his chair, slumped over, his face in his hands, crying helplessly. Years, decades even of dreadful pressure had suddenly been lifted off his heart. Unimaginable relief warred in his soul with the inconsolable grief that he was finally allowed to show. He was lost but at the same time, he had found himself in having done what he had so desperately longed to.
Tears on her face, Harriet knelt down at her husband's side, embracing him without saying anything. Silently, those who had listened now closed the circle, offering support and consolation in their own, timid way.
Trish was the first to remember who had initiated the process that had led them to this point. Supported by Sergei, she stepped up to Dave and both shared a long, silent hug, making the young man understand that the lady in his arms was finally able to tell her son 'Goodbye'.
"Thank you, Captain," Trish said in a very low but steady voice. Then she let him go and embraced Cate, pulling her tight. "And you, Lieutenant. You can't even begin to understand how much this means to me."
The two young JAGs didn't know what to say. Simultaneously, they reached for the other's hand, holding on to the safety of that anchor.
Suddenly, they found themselves face to face with their CO and instantly snapped to attention.
"Admiral, sir!"
Bud drew a still shaky breath but managed to smile. "I know I will have to go the official way to bring this about but as the Secretary of the Navy is with us today, I am sure he will know what to do and I can take the liberty to ask what's on my mind. Lieutenant Raleigh, Captain Mackerras, would you consent to stepping in for Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Rabb when they will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor?"
August 22nd, 2033 2328 ZULU The White House Rose Garden Washington, D.C.
David Mackerras had been in a pensive mood all day. Too much had transpired in the incredibly short period of six weeks since he had been standing on this very stage, facing the President, receiving his DFC.
The scenario was just the same. Dress Blues, Dress Whites, a marching band, the President, his CO with his wife, a lot of high-ranking Navy and Marine Corps personnel, bright sunshine, a warm summer wind...
And yet - Dave felt as if he were years older than he had been six weeks ago. True, his age started with a '3' now but that wasn't it. The experience of what he had been through during the last few weeks had somehow shifted his priorities. Or maybe not... No, his beliefs and convictions were the same, he had merely reaffirmed the fact that he fought for the right things. But all the pain he had witnessed in other people, all the struggles of being caught in between duty and conscience, the burdens that life could bring - at times, Dave had almost felt afraid of not being able to face what might lie in store for him.
His admiration for Admiral Roberts had risen beyond belief. This man, who had already endured so much before witnessing the catastrophe, this man who had willingly sacrificed his honor, his self-respect and his peace of mind in order to protect the ones he loved. For thirty years, he had carried the burden of living with the lie, building up a strong façade to hide the pain that kept raging in his soul, going on with his life as if nothing had happened. Dave was convinced that nothing but the very deepest love could make someone take that much upon himself.
And once he had managed to understand his CO's motivation - not only from the head, but from the heart - Dave had discovered two conflicting emotions within himself. He felt awed, and he felt envious. What an incredible gift to be allowed to love someone so much that everything else became insignificant.
Dave had never in his life been allowed to experience love with all its implications. Or so he had thought. But then, unconsciously at first, understanding had grown in his mind until, just a few days ago, he had become aware that he might have it within reach. Right now, standing at attention, he wasn't able to cast a glance to his right side, but he didn't need to. He could feel her presence. Catherine Raleigh was with him and just a few days ago, Dave had finally been able to admit to himself that he wanted her with him wherever he went. But... would she want it, too?
The doubts were eating him alive.
Luckily, right now he had something else to concentrate on. The President had left the speaker's podium to Retired Admiral Sturgis Turner who now took his stand and faced the audience, covering his emotions by shuffling the papers of his speech until he felt ready to begin.
"More than forty years ago," Sturgis began, his voice surprisingly stable, "I met a young man who was a midshipman at the Naval Academy, just like me. And from the moment we presented ourselves to each other, I got the distinct feeling that Harmon Rabb, Jr., was special. There was a gleam in his eyes that showed determination, passion and an almost unhealthy quantity of deeply running emotions that would soon distinguish him from many of my comrades. He was to become one of my truest friends.
"This emotional side of his character often got him in trouble and more than once I was seriously worried that he'd never make it to full lieutenant before ending up in a court-martial. But without his tendency of turning what he believed in into a personal crusade, he would never have become the person whom we've gathered here today to honor. Regardless of what he was doing at whatever time I met him after the Academy, whether he was flying or being a lawyer, this passion and devotion to what Harmon Rabb thought was just and right and true never left him. And I started wondering if he would ever find a person whose character matched his. He did.
"I came to know Sarah Mackenzie when she and Commander Rabb had already been working together for more than five years. This would be an amount of time that, for others, would suffice three times to make a working relationship become routine. Not for them. They were equal in their determination to serve the right cause as well as in their deep loyalty to each other, their co-workers and their country. But they were profoundly different in how they approached their goals. Where Rabb was passionate, Mackenzie was considerate. Where Rabb followed his intuition, Mackenzie would apply logic. Where Rabb threatened to lose his footing, Mackenzie would be down-to-earth enough to keep them both on the ground. It was this difference in mentality that had them disagree far more often than many partnerships would have been able to survive. And it was just that difference in mentality that made them the team they were.
"Neither of them ever put their own lives first when difficult situations needed immediate action. For them, this was no issue at all - it was the way they saw their duty and they felt committed to what they had sworn to do. Maybe it was this exemplary attitude that made God grant them more luck than most people would think possible, saving them from many situations that most would not have survived. We are all grateful for the good they did while they were with us. But we are infinitely more indebted to them for what they did in the full awareness that they were making the hardest sacrifice ever: Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, United States Marine Corps, and Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., United States Navy, decided to sacrifice their lives and their devotion to each other for the safeguard of the people that, back then, depended on them. Today we can only award them the Medal of Honor. May God eternally reward them for their deed."
While everyone present was desperately trying to keep their emotions in check, Sturgis motioned for a Marine lieutenant and an Ensign to follow him to the center of the podium. Each of the young men was carrying a cushion with a case.
"Lieutenant Catherine Raleigh, Captain David Mackerras, front and center!"
Cate and Dave stepped forward and snapped to attention again in front of Sturgis. The admiral cast both of them barely noticeable smiles as he pinned the medals to their uniforms and then saluted. The President had left her seat and paid her compliments to the two young JAGs who had taken the places of their deceased colleagues. It would have been her task to conduct the awarding ceremony but just like everyone present, she appreciated the fact that a true friend of the heroes was here today to do it.
Upon command, all military members present saluted. As everyone stood in deep silence, a drum roll was heard. Then the band's solo trumpet played the fanfare of honor while four enlisted, two Navy and two Marines, were slowly lowering and then folding two Star-Spangled Banners that had been fluttering next to the podium. A staff sergeant and a petty officer then climbed the stairs to the stage and halted in front of Cate and Dave, handing them the neat triangles of cloth.
"On behalf of a grateful nation," Sturgis declared solemnly.
Down in the public, the people in the front row, colleagues, friends and family, each reached for their neighbors' hands as the roar of the jets flying the Missing Man in honor of the two officers grew louder and louder.
Bud Jay Roberts again felt his tears rise as, directly above them, two of the jets left the line and soared off into the blue sky. 'Justice has been done,' he thought with an inward calm that he had forgotten existed.
After the ceremony, Cate and Dave had excused themselves, feeling the need to take a stroll through the garden for a little emotional chill-out. They were walking in silence, enjoying each other's company, deeply content with what they had been able to bring about - and just a little sad that the adventure was now definitely over.
Cate inwardly sighed. She had gotten accustomed to not needing an excuse to call her partner in the middle of the night, to spend hours talking on the phone or come over for dinner and coffee. She would miss their traveling, their closeness that had developed during this extraordinary case. She knew they needed to somehow go back to 'normal' now, but after what they'd been through, after all the dangers, all the uncertainties, all the time and strength devoted to their quest, after the one unexpected, yet incredibly beautiful kiss they had shared - what was 'normal' anymore?
Last night, Cate had finally been able to admit to herself that she had fallen in love with the man who was walking beside her. True, she had had similar feelings for a long time now, but she had always been inclined to dismiss them as caused by their metaphysical, cosmic, purely coincidental - or whatever one might feel inclined to call it - link to Rabb and Mackenzie. Only now that the investigation was over had she had the quiet and the time to sort out her own heart. And she had found it tied tightly to Dave's, in a way that was unknown to her, that somehow scared her but at the same time felt like heaven. Cate had no idea what Dave would think about her feelings, or how she could possibly allow them to prevail in her heart, now that they were going back to the normal JAG routine. She only knew that she would hurt tremendously to deny what she was feeling. 'Mac, I guess I'm starting to understand what you must have gone through,' she addressed her unknown twin like she had done so often during the last weeks.
Suddenly, Dave slowed down his pace, causing Cate to follow suit. Eventually he stopped, an uneasy, almost frightened expression on his face. Cate's eyebrows went up slightly in astonishment. "Hey, Marine, what's up? You okay?"
Dave nervously cleared his throat and looked down at his feet, trying to hide his confusion. "Dammit, I've been thinking forever about how this was going to work but..." he murmured, more to himself than to her.
"What?"
He looked up, finally willing himself to meet her glance. She started when he gently took her right hand in his own. "Cate, I... this is probably going to sound pretty weird but... what I wanted to say is that you... I mean, this isn't just because of Harm and Mac... I..." He was lost.
His glance was full of endearing helplessness. She smiled compassionately, her free hand trembling slightly as she softly caressed his cheek, not caring if anyone might see them. "Take your time. Try again."
Dave swallowed. Maybe this was the only chance he would ever get. 'Don't screw it up, Stearman,' he told himself, almost hearing Harm order him to get a grip. He took a deep breath. Do or die trying.
"Cate, believe it or not, I'm in love with you. And I'm in head over heels. You are my first thought when I wake and the last before I go to sleep. You are in my dreams and you're with me everywhere I go. I swear, this is definitely not because of Rabb and Mackenzie. It's you, Cate, only and entirely you. And if I learned one thing from our alter egos, it's that you'd better tell the one you love as soon as you get the chance. I'm..."
Chuckling a little helplessly, he for a moment averted his eyes, but then raised his glance again to hers. "I'm scared as hell about what's going on inside me, but I've decided to take the plunge, because everything else is less important than you are. Believe me, Cate, I'm well aware that this is the craziest thing I've ever done. But I don't care because I feel it's the right thing to do. Cate, will you marry me?" With one hand he reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a stunningly beautiful sapphire solitaire.
Cate was speechless. She looked down confusedly, looked up again into his beautiful eyes that were of the exact same color as the stone, then turned her head to the side to stare somewhere indefinite, swallowing, only to turn her glance back and meet his again that told of cold fear of being rejected... and of love and readiness to commit.
Tears rose quickly in Cate's eyes. Still she could find no words. Two or three times she tried to speak but shut her mouth again. Eventually, she decided to act instead of speaking. A teary but radiant smile was spreading over her face as she closed the distance, stretched up and very tenderly kissed Dave on the lips. Then she drew back, taking in the bewildered expression on his face that slowly turned to joy. With trembling fingers she took the ring from him and tried to put it on her left hand, failing because the trembling kept increasing and her vision was blurred. But then she felt his gentle hands guide hers and the ring easily slid into place. Unable to speak himself, Dave pulled her close and held her.
"I love you so much, my ladysquid," she eventually heard him whisper against her hair.
"I love you, too, jarhead," she managed to choke out, overwhelmed.
When they heard a throat being cleared behind them, they broke apart, smiling embarrassedly. Admiral Roberts, with Captain Sims at his side, was observing the scene. Both seniors were grinning.
"Did I just witness something that I might have to sue you for?" Bud asked, his tone conspiratorial.
Dave straightened, took Cate's left hand in his right and looked his CO in the eyes. "You did, sir," he only answered, his voice firm.
Just then, Harriet inhaled sharply. "My God, Lieutenant, is that an engagement ring you're wearing?"
Bud instantly stared at Cate's left hand, swallowing his astonishment.
Cate cast Dave a loving smile before she met Harriet's glance. "Yes, ma'am, it is."
Bud gave the Marine captain a sharp stare. "You've known each other for six weeks now. Don't you think this is rather... rash?"
Dave's gaze didn't waver. His reply came accompanied by a slight, open, joyful smile. "We've been running for almost forty years now, sir," was all he said.
Bud and Harriet sucked in their breaths, staring first at them, then at each other. Harriet frantically held on to Bud's arm in search of something to lean on, whereas the admiral suddenly began to look around confusedly, his eyes misty, chuckling incredulously. He kept shaking his head, trying to calm down and get his astonishment in check. Eventually, he let his subordinates see a radiant smile that did nothing to hide his threatening tears. His voice was hoarse but rang with joy.
"Well... it was about damned time!!"
****************************
What do you do When love comes along And offers your heart A chance to move on With no guarantees No safety net You trust what you feel You take that first step
Just close your eyes Reach for the moment Before it slips by Here is your second chance Take it and fly
(Trisha Yearwood: 'Second Chance')
THE END