Title: The Spider and the Fly IX

Author: Nan

Rating: PG

Classification: vignette, Harm/Mac, a shipper story.

Spoilers: Tangled Web

Summary: Speculation Fic - conclusion to Tangled Web

Part IX

Mac was standing in front of the mirror in her bedroom. She was staring at her olive drab marine uniform. Regulation and squared away, it was usually not her favorite piece of clothing. Today was different. Today she looked forward to wearing it. It's severe lines and uninspiring shape belied the true story. When she wore her uniform, she was instantly recognized. People who didn't know her true nature granted her respect. Authority was expected.

After her exploits in Paraguay, she welcomed the deliberate directness her uniform represented. She had only been gone for ten days but returning to JAG was a homecoming of sorts. Her excessive experiences had put it all in perspective. She liked the order, the discipline and the sense of purpose that JAG represented. She was returning to get her life back.

Her clock beside her bed clicked over to 7.00 a.m. Time to leave for work. She grabbed her purse, her cover and her keys and headed for her car.

Gunny, Harm, Tom Boone and herself had landed yesterday afternoon at the National Airport aboard Webb's chartered Lear Jet. A couple hours later she and Gunny headed north up I95 towards Baltimore to see Clay. Harm begged off, citing his injured shoulder as an excuse.

She had watched as Harm climbed out of their shared taxi at his loft north of Union Station. Harm and Mac had sat together on the flight home. Tension of the operation behind them, they chatted about little things. He told her about the repairs to his corvette and the bathroom renovation in his loft. She chatted about Chloe and her riding lessons. No mention was made of the three nights they had spent in each other's arms.

But somehow, despite the closeness they had shared, Mac felt like Cinderella. And it was rapidly approaching midnight. Bong, bong, bong. Then poof! Reality was again stepping in. She was returning to JAG today with no clear idea whether Harm would be part of it or not.

"Attention on deck!" Startled, she was surprised to see the bullpen full of people standing at attention as she walked through the glass doors. She stopped and smiled seeing that this honor was directed towards her. "At ease," she said and people pushed forward with well wishes and questions.

After ten minutes, Admiral Chegwidden stepped in. "When you are finished here, Colonel, may I see you in my office?"

"Yes sir," she said. She continued to chat for a few more minutes then excused herself. She dropped her briefcase and cover in her office and headed for the admiral's office.

He was standing in front of his desk waiting for her. Turning around, he reached out his arm and warmly shook her hand. "It is good to see you, Mac. I would give you a hug but it might compromise the good order and discipline of my office."

She smiled. "Yes sir."

She sat down in a leather chair in front of his desk as he walked behind it. He picked up an activity report and handed it to her. "Just something to catch you up on what has happened since you left, Colonel."

"Busy around here, Admiral?" she said.

"Very. I need all the help I can get. The Pentagon even sent over some relief while you were gone," said the admiral.

"I'm looking forward to diving back in, sir," She waited a minute. "Admiral?"

He knew what the question was going to be before she asked it. "Yes?"

"Have you talked with Commander Rabb, sir?"

"No."

She sat silently. Before she could speak, the admiral opened his mouth. "But I expect to. He is on terminal leave. He owes me at least one visit before his obligation is over."

"He could be reinstated, correct sir?"

"That's what everyone tells me," said AJ.

"Sir, if it wasn't for Commander Rabb, neither Webb or myself would be alive. I think..."

He cut her off. "Mac, don't go there. I am thankful for the return of a good officer. This country should be thankful for the destruction of those potentially destructive stinger missiles. But despite all that, I need to hear from Harm that he wants to return to JAG. And he hasn't said that yet. Not to me anyway."

"Yes sir," she said. "Maybe he needs some encouragement sir?"

"Maybe, but this is the Navy, not preschool."

Mac felt deflated. "Yes, sir."

The admiral thought about a subject he wanted to tackle. "I hear that you went to visit Webb yesterday. How is he?"

"Much better than the last time I saw him, sir. I was really relieved," she said.

"You and he went through a lot together, Colonel."

"Yes sir."

"Experiences like that can create a special bond between people," said AJ, studiously keeping his eyes on the file on his desk.

"Yes sir," Mac said expressionlessly. The admiral studied her for a minute. He mentally shrugged. Nothing, he thought. He passed over a separate file and filled her in on an impending case. The work of the day had started.

"What are you doing for lunch, ma'am?" asked Harriet later. "Would you like to celebrate your return with Bud and myself at the pizza joint across the road?"

"I would love to, Harriet. But first, I need to make a quick phone call," said Mac.

Mac watched as Harriet exited her office. She went and closed her door and reached for her phone. She dialed Harm's loft number.

She heard his rich voice. "Rabb."

"Harm, just wanted to check on you. Out of bed yet?" she said keeping the conversation light.

"I've been up for a couple of hours," he said.

"How is the shoulder?"

"Better," he said.

"I'm having lunch with Bud and Harriet. Want to join us at Ben's Pizza for lunch?"

"Ahh, no. I have an appointment at 1 pm," he said.

"You owe the admiral a conversation."

"Mac. I know what you are doing."

She let out a sigh. "I'm not going to let you quit the Navy, Harm. Not without a fight."

There was silence. "I appreciate that. It means a lot to me. But I have to go. I have a bit of drive a head of me."

"Where are you going?" she said curious.

"Langley. Bye Mac," he said and hung up.

"Bye Harm," and she looked at the receiver in her hand frustrated. Langley? That means the CIA. Just a follow-up I hope, thought Mac. Then she realized no one from Langley had asked her to follow-up. What was Harm up to?



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