Chapter 3 - Taken
The Next Day…
1700 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and the admiral had met at the hospital an hour earlier and had taken Mac to her apartment to change. They had driven to JAG Headquarters from there. Mac was still weak from being poisoned and staying in the hospital. Chedwiggen led Harm and Mac to his office. Before entering his office, Chedwiggen looked at Tiner, "get me Commander Turner."
"Aye, Sir," Tiner responded.
Chedwiggen entered his office with Mac and Harm right behind. "Sit down," Chedwiggen said knowing that Mac was exhausted and Harm most likely hadn't slept. He watched as they both sat down across from where he was sitting. "How are you both?"
"Fine, Sir," Mac responded.
"Fine, Sir," Harm added.
Chedwiggen knew they were both lying, but he'd just have to deal with it. A knock came at the door, he knew it was Turner. "Come in."
The door knob turned, the door was opened, and Commander Turner walked in. He closed the door behind him and walked up behind the chairs Mac and Harm were sitting in. "Reporting as ordered, Sir," Turner said standing at attention.
"At ease," Chedwiggen told Turner.
Sturgis stood at ease. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew that Harm and Mac hadn't been in for a couple of days and the admiral hadn't said why.
"Commander Turner, I'm assigning you to help Commander Rabb find out who's after him and Mac."
"After them, Sir?"
"Colonel Mackenzie has been hospitalized twice in the last few days from poisoning. We believe it could be someone from one of their past cases. I want you to help Rabb find who it is or at least get the number of possibilities down to double digits?"
"Understood, Sir."
"Colonel Mackenzie, perhaps I should have Tiner take you home?" Chedwiggen asked concerned about Mac, knowing that she had been through a lot.
"I'm fine, Sir," Mac insisted.
"We can keep a better eye on her here, Sir," Harm added.
"Fine. Keep me informed. Dismissed," Chedwiggen told them.
All three stood at attention. "Aye, Sir.
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1710 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac, Harm, and Sturgis headed to Harm's office. Harm waited until Mac sat down until he sat. He wanted to make sure she was okay. Sturgis sat down in the chair next to Mac. "You okay, Mac?" Harm asked noticing how tired she looked. He was surprised that she hasn't dozed off in Chedwiggen's office.
"I'm fine," Mac insisted.
"You look tired."
"Harm, unless you're going to gather all of the files we have to go through and take them back to my apartment I can't help looking tired."
Harm frowned, he wanted Mac to rest, but he didn't want her out of his sight either.
"Why don't we just get together the files we have to go through and then go somewhere where Mac will be able to rest while we go through them," Sturgis suggested.
"I'll be fine," Mac insisted hoping that they'd actually hear her.
"Mac, you need to rest you just got out of the hospital," Harm told her.
Mac decided not to argue any more. She was tired and didn't feel like continuing the argument.
"We can go to my apartment. Mac can lay down, we'll go over files, and I'll make dinner."
"That's fine," Sturgis said.
"Mac, that okay?"
"Yeah," Mac answered.
Harm started going through the things on his desk and in his drawers.
Mac gave Harm a weird look, "WHAT are you looking for?"
"I have a report I need to turn in to the admiral," Harm said and then remembered where his report was. "I need to go out to my car to get it," Harm said getting up.
Mac stood up, "I'll get it."
"Mac, just sit down…"
"Harm, I'm not going to be poisoned again by going out your car getting your report, and bringing it back."
"She'll be fine," Sturgis told his friend.
Harm just handed over the keys to Mac, who smiled and then walked out of his office.
"What exactly is going on with you two?" Sturgis asked Harm.
"Who? Me and Mac?" Harm asked bringing up a list of his and Mac's cases on his computer.
"Yes."
"Nothing."
"Really?" Sturgis asked sounding surprised.
Harm looked up at him, "we're just friends."
"JUST friends?"
"I've known Mac for almost seven years. I just care about her."
"As only a friend?"
"Sturgis, what are you implying?" Harm finally asked getting annoyed at the questions.
"Nothing. You and Mac just seem so much closer than friends."
"She's my best friend."
"You know what they say about best friends of the opposite sex, right?"
Harm pressed print and then looked over to Sturgis, "what?"
"You marry them."
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1725 Zulu
In Front of JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac opened the door to Harm's vehicle and smiled to herself when she saw the file folder stuffed between his seat and center consol. She picked it up and back up to close the door. A hand placed a cloth over her nose and mouth. She dropped Harm's file folder and car keys. And then there was just blackness.
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1735 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and Sturgis had gotten the files on a quarter of the cases Harm and Mac had once had. "I wonder what's taking Mac so long…"
"Maybe she can't find that report," Sturgis suggested.
"I don't know, she's been gone for a long time now."
"Ten minutes."
"I parked right in front of the building."
"Then let's go check on her, but we'll probably run into her getting onto the elevator."
"I don't care if she thinks I'm being paranoid. She could have collapsed or something," Harm said picking up one of the file boxes.
"I'm sure she's fine," Sturgis told him picking up the other file box.
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1740 Zulu
In Front of JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and Sturgis hadn't bumped into Mac on the way out. Harm's car was in sight when he noticed that his driver's side door was open and his keys and folder were on the ground. Harm dropped his box, he didn't see Mac, and ran to his car immediately looking for Mac. He didn't see her or any sign of her. "Mac!" Harm began to yell as he ran to the entrance guard.
Sturgis could tell that Harm was beginning to panic, but took the box to Harm's vehicle and put it inside and then went back and got the other one and put it next to the other one. He picked up Harm's keys and report and shut the car door and then walked over to where Harm was.
Harm was playing twenty questions with the obviously clueless guard. "You haven't seen her?!"
"No, Sir."
"Weren't you watching?! She's gone! Someone took her and you don't have a clue?!"
"No, Sir."
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0655 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm hadn't left JAG. He had alerted authorities and the admiral had ordered him to go home and that the authorities would find Mac. Harm had decided to disobey orders; he had to find Mac even if that meant court martial. He had started going through all of the files he could go through, but had finally fallen asleep at his desk. He was worried out of his mind, he didn't know where she was or if she was okay. Sturgis had gone home and taken a box of files to go through and mark which ones looked like possible suspects.
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The Next Day…
1400 Zulu
Chedwiggen's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Tiner walked into Admiral Chedwiggen's office, and stood at attention. "At ease. What do you need Tiner?"
"Sir, I thought you'd like to know that Commander Rabb is asleep on his desk, Sir."
Chedwiggen shook his head and then looked up at Tiner, "does he look like he left at all?"
"No, Sir."
"Get me Turner."
"Yes, Sir, but he's not in yet, Sir."
"Then get me him WHEN he gets here Tiner."
"Aye, aye, Sir."
"You're dismissed."
"Aye, Sir," Tiner said turning and heading back to his desk.
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1530 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Sturgis had already talked with the admiral and was checking on Harm, who was still asleep at his desk. Sturgis shook his head. He really wished he had made sure that Harm had gone home.
"Umm, Sir, do you think Commander Rabb is going to be okay?" Harriett asked walking up behind Sturgis.
"Yeah, he's just going to beat himself up though until we find Mac and he knows she's safe."
"I figured that much."
"Do me a favor?"
"Of course, Sir."
"Keep an eye on him, and keep me informed."
"Yes, sir."
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1925 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harriett walked into the still asleep Commander Rabb's office. She had gone out and gotten him lunch. She knew he was worried about Mac, but that if he were to help Mac at all that he would need to eat and stay healthy. "Commander?" Harriett said hoping to wake him as she set a brown paper bag on his desk. "Commander Rabb?" she asked again a bit louder. She shook his shoulder a bit, "Commander?" This time she shook him much harder, "Harm?!"
Harm sat straight up and gave Harriett a confused look, "what are you doing here so late, Lt?" he asked her tiredly.
Harriett frowned, "it's 1925, Sir."
"What?! Why didn't anyone wake me? Or tell me?!" Harm asked frantically knowing that he had fallen asleep and had spent the night at his desk atop of old case files.
"We didn't want to wake you."
"The admir…"
"He knows," Harriett interrupted. "And in order for you to help Colonel MacKenzie you need to eat and sleep, Sir."
"Is that an order?" he asked half joking.
"Yes."
"Aye, aye, Ma'am," he said with a mock salute.
Harriett smiled a bit, "I brought you a salad and a juice, I hope that's okay…"
"It's fine," Harm said moving the files into a neat pile and then opening the bag.
Harriett smiled and headed for the door.
"Oh Harriett?"
"Yes, Sir?" she asked turning back to him.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," she smiled warmly and then headed out of his office to let him eat in peace.
==================================================
TBC...
Author's Note: Just to let you know there should be 11 chapters when this is finished.
The Next Day…
1700 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and the admiral had met at the hospital an hour earlier and had taken Mac to her apartment to change. They had driven to JAG Headquarters from there. Mac was still weak from being poisoned and staying in the hospital. Chedwiggen led Harm and Mac to his office. Before entering his office, Chedwiggen looked at Tiner, "get me Commander Turner."
"Aye, Sir," Tiner responded.
Chedwiggen entered his office with Mac and Harm right behind. "Sit down," Chedwiggen said knowing that Mac was exhausted and Harm most likely hadn't slept. He watched as they both sat down across from where he was sitting. "How are you both?"
"Fine, Sir," Mac responded.
"Fine, Sir," Harm added.
Chedwiggen knew they were both lying, but he'd just have to deal with it. A knock came at the door, he knew it was Turner. "Come in."
The door knob turned, the door was opened, and Commander Turner walked in. He closed the door behind him and walked up behind the chairs Mac and Harm were sitting in. "Reporting as ordered, Sir," Turner said standing at attention.
"At ease," Chedwiggen told Turner.
Sturgis stood at ease. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew that Harm and Mac hadn't been in for a couple of days and the admiral hadn't said why.
"Commander Turner, I'm assigning you to help Commander Rabb find out who's after him and Mac."
"After them, Sir?"
"Colonel Mackenzie has been hospitalized twice in the last few days from poisoning. We believe it could be someone from one of their past cases. I want you to help Rabb find who it is or at least get the number of possibilities down to double digits?"
"Understood, Sir."
"Colonel Mackenzie, perhaps I should have Tiner take you home?" Chedwiggen asked concerned about Mac, knowing that she had been through a lot.
"I'm fine, Sir," Mac insisted.
"We can keep a better eye on her here, Sir," Harm added.
"Fine. Keep me informed. Dismissed," Chedwiggen told them.
All three stood at attention. "Aye, Sir.
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1710 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac, Harm, and Sturgis headed to Harm's office. Harm waited until Mac sat down until he sat. He wanted to make sure she was okay. Sturgis sat down in the chair next to Mac. "You okay, Mac?" Harm asked noticing how tired she looked. He was surprised that she hasn't dozed off in Chedwiggen's office.
"I'm fine," Mac insisted.
"You look tired."
"Harm, unless you're going to gather all of the files we have to go through and take them back to my apartment I can't help looking tired."
Harm frowned, he wanted Mac to rest, but he didn't want her out of his sight either.
"Why don't we just get together the files we have to go through and then go somewhere where Mac will be able to rest while we go through them," Sturgis suggested.
"I'll be fine," Mac insisted hoping that they'd actually hear her.
"Mac, you need to rest you just got out of the hospital," Harm told her.
Mac decided not to argue any more. She was tired and didn't feel like continuing the argument.
"We can go to my apartment. Mac can lay down, we'll go over files, and I'll make dinner."
"That's fine," Sturgis said.
"Mac, that okay?"
"Yeah," Mac answered.
Harm started going through the things on his desk and in his drawers.
Mac gave Harm a weird look, "WHAT are you looking for?"
"I have a report I need to turn in to the admiral," Harm said and then remembered where his report was. "I need to go out to my car to get it," Harm said getting up.
Mac stood up, "I'll get it."
"Mac, just sit down…"
"Harm, I'm not going to be poisoned again by going out your car getting your report, and bringing it back."
"She'll be fine," Sturgis told his friend.
Harm just handed over the keys to Mac, who smiled and then walked out of his office.
"What exactly is going on with you two?" Sturgis asked Harm.
"Who? Me and Mac?" Harm asked bringing up a list of his and Mac's cases on his computer.
"Yes."
"Nothing."
"Really?" Sturgis asked sounding surprised.
Harm looked up at him, "we're just friends."
"JUST friends?"
"I've known Mac for almost seven years. I just care about her."
"As only a friend?"
"Sturgis, what are you implying?" Harm finally asked getting annoyed at the questions.
"Nothing. You and Mac just seem so much closer than friends."
"She's my best friend."
"You know what they say about best friends of the opposite sex, right?"
Harm pressed print and then looked over to Sturgis, "what?"
"You marry them."
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1725 Zulu
In Front of JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac opened the door to Harm's vehicle and smiled to herself when she saw the file folder stuffed between his seat and center consol. She picked it up and back up to close the door. A hand placed a cloth over her nose and mouth. She dropped Harm's file folder and car keys. And then there was just blackness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1735 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and Sturgis had gotten the files on a quarter of the cases Harm and Mac had once had. "I wonder what's taking Mac so long…"
"Maybe she can't find that report," Sturgis suggested.
"I don't know, she's been gone for a long time now."
"Ten minutes."
"I parked right in front of the building."
"Then let's go check on her, but we'll probably run into her getting onto the elevator."
"I don't care if she thinks I'm being paranoid. She could have collapsed or something," Harm said picking up one of the file boxes.
"I'm sure she's fine," Sturgis told him picking up the other file box.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1740 Zulu
In Front of JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm and Sturgis hadn't bumped into Mac on the way out. Harm's car was in sight when he noticed that his driver's side door was open and his keys and folder were on the ground. Harm dropped his box, he didn't see Mac, and ran to his car immediately looking for Mac. He didn't see her or any sign of her. "Mac!" Harm began to yell as he ran to the entrance guard.
Sturgis could tell that Harm was beginning to panic, but took the box to Harm's vehicle and put it inside and then went back and got the other one and put it next to the other one. He picked up Harm's keys and report and shut the car door and then walked over to where Harm was.
Harm was playing twenty questions with the obviously clueless guard. "You haven't seen her?!"
"No, Sir."
"Weren't you watching?! She's gone! Someone took her and you don't have a clue?!"
"No, Sir."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0655 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm hadn't left JAG. He had alerted authorities and the admiral had ordered him to go home and that the authorities would find Mac. Harm had decided to disobey orders; he had to find Mac even if that meant court martial. He had started going through all of the files he could go through, but had finally fallen asleep at his desk. He was worried out of his mind, he didn't know where she was or if she was okay. Sturgis had gone home and taken a box of files to go through and mark which ones looked like possible suspects.
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The Next Day…
1400 Zulu
Chedwiggen's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Tiner walked into Admiral Chedwiggen's office, and stood at attention. "At ease. What do you need Tiner?"
"Sir, I thought you'd like to know that Commander Rabb is asleep on his desk, Sir."
Chedwiggen shook his head and then looked up at Tiner, "does he look like he left at all?"
"No, Sir."
"Get me Turner."
"Yes, Sir, but he's not in yet, Sir."
"Then get me him WHEN he gets here Tiner."
"Aye, aye, Sir."
"You're dismissed."
"Aye, Sir," Tiner said turning and heading back to his desk.
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1530 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Sturgis had already talked with the admiral and was checking on Harm, who was still asleep at his desk. Sturgis shook his head. He really wished he had made sure that Harm had gone home.
"Umm, Sir, do you think Commander Rabb is going to be okay?" Harriett asked walking up behind Sturgis.
"Yeah, he's just going to beat himself up though until we find Mac and he knows she's safe."
"I figured that much."
"Do me a favor?"
"Of course, Sir."
"Keep an eye on him, and keep me informed."
"Yes, sir."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1925 Zulu
Harm's Office - JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harriett walked into the still asleep Commander Rabb's office. She had gone out and gotten him lunch. She knew he was worried about Mac, but that if he were to help Mac at all that he would need to eat and stay healthy. "Commander?" Harriett said hoping to wake him as she set a brown paper bag on his desk. "Commander Rabb?" she asked again a bit louder. She shook his shoulder a bit, "Commander?" This time she shook him much harder, "Harm?!"
Harm sat straight up and gave Harriett a confused look, "what are you doing here so late, Lt?" he asked her tiredly.
Harriett frowned, "it's 1925, Sir."
"What?! Why didn't anyone wake me? Or tell me?!" Harm asked frantically knowing that he had fallen asleep and had spent the night at his desk atop of old case files.
"We didn't want to wake you."
"The admir…"
"He knows," Harriett interrupted. "And in order for you to help Colonel MacKenzie you need to eat and sleep, Sir."
"Is that an order?" he asked half joking.
"Yes."
"Aye, aye, Ma'am," he said with a mock salute.
Harriett smiled a bit, "I brought you a salad and a juice, I hope that's okay…"
"It's fine," Harm said moving the files into a neat pile and then opening the bag.
Harriett smiled and headed for the door.
"Oh Harriett?"
"Yes, Sir?" she asked turning back to him.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," she smiled warmly and then headed out of his office to let him eat in peace.
==================================================
TBC...
Author's Note: Just to let you know there should be 11 chapters when this is finished.