DEDICATION OR DENIAL
Disclaimers: We all know them. I don't own the JAG characters, I am just using them to avoid studying. This covers it for the entire fic, nothing will change – I won't somehow get ownership while this is being posted.
This is the sequel to A Ride to No Where, but you don't need to read it to understand this story. Although I love it if you did read it. Please send me reviews, I love feedback. Have pity on the poor law school student, the review brighten my day!
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Tatiana Romanova Webb was a special baby. She was born two months early and almost didn't make it. Her parents were CIA agents, although her mother had left the company and taken a job with the Department of Defense when she found out she was going to have a child.
Tatiana's mother was Zoya Nassar, a beautiful and brilliant agent. Tatiana's father is Clayton Webb, a handsome man who is to be considered one of the CIA's brightest and best.
No one ever imagined that the partnering of Webb and Nassar would have such a wonderful yet tragic ending. What started out as a playfully adversarial partnership, became something that you read about in a dime store romance novel.
It was their dedication to country that almost made the child an orphan as she was coming into the world. Webb and Nassar were both seriously injured when they prevented a terrorist's bomb from killing the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister from England.
Tatiana would never know her mother, but there were many people, aside from her father, who would ensure that the legacy of Zoya Romanova Nassar would never be forgotten. One man who would guarantee that Tatiana knew about her mother and her royal background was AJ Chegwidden. He was a surrogate father to Zoya and now looked at Tatiana as a granddaughter. He had made it clear in no uncertain terms that he was going to be a part of her life. This was a request that Clayton Webb did not and would not refuse.
WEBB ESTATE
It had been three months since Clayton Webb returned from Moscow with his daughter. In that time he had moved back into the family home and a nursery was constructed off his bedroom. He refused the offers from his mother to hire help to care for Tatiana, stating that he and he alone would be responsible for her.
Each morning, Clayton woke up before the first sounds came from the nursery. He would bring his daughter out to the balcony where he would tend to all her needs. Hours would pass as they sat overlooking the rolling grounds of the Webb estate. On occasion Porter would look in on them and be told that they were fine and didn't need anything. On days when AJ would come to visit, Webb would remain unseen. He would dress Tatiana and have her brought down to the great room for the visit. While AJ was spending time with Tatiana, Webb would return to the balcony off his bedroom and just stare out into the distance.
"Clayton, the Admiral is preparing to leave," Porter advised. "Please come down and thank him for visiting."
"He's here to see Tatiana, Mother." Webb replied. "He doesn't need to see me."
"Jeremy Wellington called earlier," Porter said. "He'd like to speak with you."
"Thank you," Webb said flatly.
"AJ mentioned that the Rabbs would like to see Tatiana." Porter stated.
"Fine," Webb replied.
"Clayton, why don't you come down and join me for tea?" Porter asked.
"No thank you, Mother." Webb replied and closed the balcony doors.
Porter returned to AJ and sighed.
"He's not coming down." Porter stated. "He hasn't left that wing since they came home."
"He's still dealing with everything," AJ assured.
"I don't think so," Porter replied. "My son has always been resilient. This is something else. He comes down to get meals and immediately returns to their rooms. He doesn't see anyone nor does he speak to anyone."
"Give him time," AJ said. "I'll be back tomorrow. It will be fine."
"I do hope so," Porter replied and bid AJ good-bye. "Tatiana, we need to help your father."
ONE WEEK LATER
"Thank you for coming," Porter said.
"Thank you for inviting us," Mac smiled. "We have wanted to come for a while now. We just didn't know if it was appropriate."
"Where is Clay?" Harm asked.
"He's upstairs," Porter replied. "He's not coming down."
"How is Tatiana doing?" Mac asked.
"She's a remarkable child," Porter smiled. "She has the best qualities of both her parents."
"She has Zoya's eyes," Mac said holding the child.
"I believe she also has her mother's spirit." Porter laughed. "I just wish Clayton could see that."
"Mrs. Webb, may I go upstairs?" Harm asked.
"I wish you would." Porter replied. "At the top of the stairs go to the left. Clayton's suite is at the end of the hallway. He is probably on the balcony."
Five minutes later Harm returned to Porter and Mac.
"He didn't even acknowledge I was there," Harm said. "Has he been like this since he got back?"
"He only speaks to me and usually with short responses." Porter said. "I hear him at night, out on the balcony. He's not sleeping and when he does it's only for a short time."
"It's not healthy," Mac said. "Has he seen a doctor?"
"Jeremy Wellington sent a doctor over for his evaluation." Porter said. "He can return to work whenever he wants."
"Has he indicated when he plans on going back?" Harm asked.
"If he has, he hasn't said anything to me." Porter said. "AJ suggested giving him time. I don't know how much more time to give him."
"Excuse me Mrs. Webb," Geoffrey, her major domo said walking in.
"Yes, Geoffrey," Porter replied.
"Mr. Webb asked that I give this to the Commander," Geoffrey said handing Harm an envelope.
"What is it?" Mac asked.
Harm opened the envelope and took out another envelope and a note.
"It says, 'Harm, please deliver this to Jeremy Wellington. Webb." Harm read.
"What could that be?" Porter asked.
"I think I know," Mac said. "It's his resignation."
"This is ridiculous," Harm said. "He's going to resign?"
"Commander, take it to Wellington." Porter said. "At this point maybe that is for the best."
"You don't honestly believe that?" Harm asked.
"Right now I don't know what to believe or think," Porter stated. "Please just do as he asks."
Harm and Mac left after spending a little more time with Tatiana. Before they returned to their offices, they stopped by Langley and delivered the letter to Wellington. Mac was right, it was Webb's resignation. In the letter, he thanked Wellington for his understanding and asked that any belongings from his office be forwarded to Porter's home.
After Mac and Harm left, Wellington sat at his desk staring at the letter. He could not believe what was happening. He knew that Webb had been through a traumatic experience that would have killed lesser men. These were not the actions of the Clayton Webb he knew. These were the actions of a stranger, someone who was crying for help and didn't yet realize it.