The Darkness

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JAG HEADQUARTERS

Another three months had past since Harm and Mac first went to visit Webb and his daughter.  They had been back several times, but never saw Webb.  He would always remain upstairs during the visits.  During this time several others from JAG also went to meet Tatiana and Webb refused to see them as well.

Webb's only ventures outside the mansion were to walk the grounds or to take Tatiana for a check up. 

AJ'S OFFICE

"You wanted to see us Sir?" Harm asked.

"Sit down," AJ said. "We have a problem. I just got off the phone with Porter Webb.  Honestly she is at her wits end."

"We were there yesterday, Sir," Bud stated. "Clay didn't even come down."

"I thought for sure that once he resigned from the CIA he would be more active," Harm said.

"Unfortunately that is not the case," AJ said.

"What do you want us to do?" Mac asked.

"I go over everyday to see Tatiana," AJ stated. "We need to bring him back to the living."

"How are we supposed to do that?" Harm asked. "He won't even speak to us."

"Rabb, you are usually a very tenacious person.  I think you need to use some of that annoying persistence and help your friend." AJ announced. "You all need to help him."

The group was dismissed from the office and gathered in the bullpen to discuss AJ's request.  It was not going to be easy.  They considered Clayton Webb a friend, in the sense that they included him whenever they could, but he wasn't exactly a permanent fixture.

"Any suggestions on what we do?" Mac asked.

"What about an intervention?" Harriet suggested.

"You mean just getting together and confronting him?" Bud asked. "I remember we did that in college for a friend who was drinking too much."

"That's exactly what I mean," Harriet said.

"That might work.  We can go over there together and just talk to him." Sturgis said.

"I don't think Clay would take something like that in the spirit it is intended." Mac stated.

"Do you have a better idea?" Harm asked.

"Actually, I do," Mac replied. "I think one person needs to go over there and intervene."

"That person better have a lot of guts because Webb may explode that we are butting in," Harm said.

"Oh I think that person is very brave," Mac smiled.

"I agree Mac," Sturgis added and started directly at Harm.

"Are you crazy?" Harm asked. "I have no intention of taking my life in my hands."

"The Admiral did say you were persistent," Bud added.

"Actually he said annoying persistence," Sturgis reminded.

"Harm, don't do it for Webb, do it for Zoya.  She would hate to see him like this." Mac said.

"Didn't any of you ever hear the expression, there's safety in numbers?" Harm said. "I really think this should be a group effort."

"I think this is something you need to do alone," Mac said.

"Harm, I agree." Sturgis concurred. "Out of all of us, you have the closest relationship with him."

"Fine," Harm said. "I'll go there next week."

"Today," Mac ordered.

"I'll go tomorrow night after work." Harm sighed.

"Today," Sturgis said.

"Anyone else care to order me around?" Harm asked.

"No Sir," Harriet smiled. "I think the colonel and the commander have covered it."

WEBB ESTATE

Clayton Webb was at the stables with his infant daughter.  It was such a beautiful day that even his sour mood couldn't keep him inside.  He placed Tatiana in the pram and wheeled her down to the wooden structure and showed her the horses that were there.

"Tatiana, when you are big enough this will be your horse to ride," Webb said. "Your mother rode horses although it was something we never got to do together."

Tatiana just cooed and gurgled in her father's arms.

"I am going to make sure you speak Russian just like your mother." Webb said. "I know she would want you to embrace your heritage just as she did."

Webb continued to walk around the stables with his daughter in his arms.  Stopping briefly in front of each stall and showing her the horses.

"You have no idea how beautiful your mother was," Webb said. "She had blue-grey eyes just like yours and long chestnut brown hair.  She colored it for a while so she would fit in better when she was on assignment."

Webb left the stables and placed Tatiana back in her pram and continued to walk the grounds.

"I think you are going to look like her," Webb said. "If you're lucky you will also be as smart as her.  There was nothing she did not know.  She was a walking encyclopedia."

"I am so sorry that I took her away from you," Webb said. "I should have never let her come with us that day.  I should have protected her and forced her to stay at the hotel.  She never listened though.  She was very stubborn…"

At that moment Tatiana began to make little sounds, distracting Webb from his current thought.

"She also interrupted me, something I believe you just did." Webb said. "I think we better head back, it's getting a little chilly."

They returned to the mansion and began to climb the stairs.

"Clayton, would you come here please?" Porter asked.

"Mother, I need to put Tatiana down for her nap," Webb replied.

"Clayton, give me my granddaughter," Porter ordered. "Her nap can wait just a few moments."

Reluctantly, Webb turned and went into the study.  He placed Tatiana in Porter's outstretched arms and sighed.

"What do you want?" Webb asked.

"To begin, I would appreciate you not taking that tone with me." Porter said. "I am not the enemy."

"I never said you were," Webb replied. "Was there anything else?"

"Clayton, this seclusion you have created is not healthy." Porter stated. "It's not good for you and it certainly isn't good for Tatiana."

"Mother she is barely six months old," Webb said. "She needs me."

"Does she need you or do you need her?" Porter asked.

"It's the same thing," Webb said. "I am all she has and she is all I have."

"That is not true," Porter snapped. "You both have family and friends who care for you."

"I do not want to discuss this with you," Webb said.

"Do you plan on working again?" Porter asked. "Now that you have resigned from the agency, what do you plan on doing?"

"Mother, you know as well as I, I don't need to work." Webb said.

"You've never needed to work.  It was something you wanted to do." Porter replied.

"Now I want to take care of my daughter." Webb said.

"Fine," Porter sighed and handed the child back to her son.

Webb went upstairs and put Tatiana down for her nap.  He then resumed his position on the balcony and stared out into the distance.  While he was sitting there he slowly sipped a scotch.  Ten minutes later he was also sleeping.

As he took his scotch induced nap he dreamed of the events that occurred in Moscow.  His subconscious replaying the events with a different outcome, in his dream Zoya was never at the hotel, there was no explosion and they were together awaiting the birth of their daughter.  They were married and life was as it should be.

The sounds of crying woke Webb from his dream.  He glanced at his watch and his empty glass before rising to collect his daughter.

"I'm right here," Webb said soothingly. "I'm not going anywhere."

Tatiana would kick her legs in excitement at the sound of his voice.

"Come on my little countess, let's get you changed." Webb said. "Daddy will take care of everything.  You will never be alone, I promise."

Webb changed his daughter and prepared her bottle.  Cradling her in his arms he fed her and then placed her in the swing on the balcony.  Together they sat until the sun began to set and the sky took on the oranges and reds to signify the onset of night.