Thank you so much for your reviews!!!!!!
Pissed Off Poet: *grins manically* All a part of the master plan...and I never specified if any of this would affect the future...*"Twilight Zone" theme song plays.* To answer about the JAG clan knowin' about Grace. *sigh*, well, not to burst anyone's bubble, but I don't think all of them will know. *Maybe* I'll let it slip that she's harm and mac's daughter, but fill it in with a story that the commander and colonel have known each other longer than anyone else thought...*shrug* I dunno. If everybody knows, it would kind of take the mystery about Grace away. Maybe some of the staff will find out, but only a chosen few. I haven't really worked out the kinks on that one. Thank you so much for reviewing!! See ya next week!!!!
marineJAG: Thank you! Interesting is definitely what I'm striving for!!!! :D See ya next week!!!!
Lisa Brown: *blink*....*looks around*....*whispers* Are you readin' my mind or something??? LoL, I have the plan all written out and it's gonna kind of happen like that....*looks around*...shhhhh...
cmaf: Omg, lol, you just made me laugh so hard!!! Hmm...I have been wanting a new CD player, some shoes—wait, you were kidding?? Ahhhh, maaaaan. Anyway, on a more serious note (serious...what's that?), thank you very much!!! A new chapter will come every Friday (I am evil, aren't I?)!!!
Hazel: Hey!! Thank you very much!!!! See ya next week! Ah! And look! You're lucky number ~*170*~ on the review list!!!!! *does happy dance* THANK YOU, HAZEL!!!!
carby24/7: LoL, I figured the "talk" would come into this at some point, and that seemed like the best place to have it! Ah, thank you so much! Okay, Commander Lindsey was in the very first season of JAG. He's older (*really* not cute) and has been passed over for the rank of Captain several times, one time on the request of A.J. Ummm...what else has he done...oh, he almost ruined Mac's career. I didn't see that episode, but he prosecuted when I believe Mac's husband died. Also in the 8th season, he was the guy that tried to give the JAG office a bad evaluation. Lindsey doesn't work at JAG anymore and works for the SecNav. I'm not sure exactly what he does. Um, I hope that helped, lol, he isn't in the show very much, but he is the guy who got Singer pregnant and eventually murdered her and framed Harm in the process. Um, just remember he's *really* ugly...and old...I have no idea what provoked Singer to sleep with him. *shudders* yuckerspritz. See ya next week!!!
e-dog: Hehe, well, when I was doing my own geometry homework, and some ideas of how I'm gonna resolve the Singer issue came to me. And I'm tellin' ya, dog, I am so containing myself from telling everyone what's going to happen! I'm so anxious to get the ideas written, but I don't want to have the last chapters of this story rushed through. Thank you!!!!
Moonlights Sundance: I have the Singer deal all worked out. It's going to be sad, and it's gonna get Grace into trouble, but it will all be resolved. Thanks for coming back! See ya next week!
NavyCB: Yes, it is an intense situation, but with how I plan to resolve it, it won't be a happy ending. Stick around and you'll see what I mean. LoL, so yes, I know exactly where I'm going. Thank you very much for reading and being honest about what you think! It helps a lot!! ;)
Marines sis: Hey! I love that you love this, lol!!!!!! Thank you for reading!!!!
beegirl: LoL, yeah, Bud sounds like the guy who'd do that, lol! I think at the this point, the Singer deal is going the be one of the most dramatic moments of the story. With how I plan to "resolve" it. Oh man, I love that Grace has all these attributes from her parents, it makes it so much more believable!!! LOL, Lindsey *totally* gives me the creeps. I have no idea what Singer saw in that (if you even wanna call him one) man. Ew is right! Thanks for reading!!!!!! See ya next week!!!
kiwi: Heehee, thank you! Ohhh, man I sOoOoOo wish I could tell you what's going to happen!!!!! Thank you for reading!!!!!!!!
maggie: Thank you!! A reviewer had suggested I do something like that, and I couldn't resist!!! I can't wait for you guys to read what I've written with the Singer deal. It'll be a surprising end!!!! Thank you for reading!!!!!!
DD2: LOL, I can always count on you for your enthusiasm!!! Thank you so much!!!
e-dog: LoL, yeah, she said in German, "Good day. Sorry, we're out of pizza." Don't feel dumb! Dutch, German, and Norwegian all look and sound very similar! I tried to get it in a Russian translation, but the only ppl I know that speak Russian are either dead or still in Russia :D. And the translation sites stink. Ah! And look! You're lucky number ~*180*~ on the review list!! *does happy dance* THANK YOU, E!!!!!!!
Chloe: Ah! You shall know very soon!!!! LOL, yes, Grace isn't doin' too well keepin' her mouth shut. But it may just help her in future chapters.... :D thank you for reading!!!
jagchick105: Thank you, jag!!! See ya next week!!!!!
ArwenUndomiel: Hey there! Aw, thank you! LOL, nope *zippers mouth*, I'm not sayin' a thing!! Well, I will tell you she'll try to prevent the murder, but you'll just have to wait and see if she's successful...or not...*laughs manically*....ahem, yeah, I'm all right....anywho...Oh, you're quite welcome! If you ever have any more questions about what happened in season eight, feel free to ask! Spoilers are fun!!! :D *gasp* They stopped showing JAG??? Omg! That's so mean!!!! I'm glad what I'm writing helps!!! LoL, a reviewer suggested I stick in 'the talk' somewhere, and that seemed like a good time for it. :D thx....Ummm....well, I can only estimate, but I think the stuff happening with Singer is, including this chapter, gonna go for two chapters, and then I suppose two chapters for the conclusion. What I want for the end is gonna take up a lot of space, so I've decided to break it up a little bit. So, including this one, maybe four more chapters? Again, it just depends on what happens when I write them, but that's my best estimate! Thanks again for reading and telling me what you think!
SarahRabb705: Hey! Thank you!! Yeah, Grace can't really do this on her own. But you'll see how it all turns out! Thank you for reading!!!
Pennithil: Hey! Thank you!!! It's okay! LoL, I was like, hey, what happened to your story?? It's going great so far, pleeeeeeeeeease continue!!!! See ya!
CharmedMummy: Thank you! Hehe, well, my first thought was to have it in Russian, but I don't speak it, and I couldn't find a good translation site. Same with Farsi. I suppose I coulda put, "she said in Farsi, or, she said in Russian," but I knew what it was in German so I used that. And yeah, Mac spoke German in A Tangled Webb part 1. (Lindsey) That's a good point. I shoulda wrote, "she clicked on the name to see his picture," or something like that. But I didn't write the scene with her actually leaving the office, so she could have done that...:D Same with where Singer lived. She could have just looked it up on the same site. Very good eyes though. I missed that too :D Thank you for pointing it out 8^) Ah, thank you! A reviewer had suggested I try something like 'the talk' for a good laugh, and that seemed like the right place to put it :) Thank you! See ya next week!
thinktink2: LoL, I'm so glad you like it! I've been having just too much fun writing it, and you guys are such a motivator! Thank you! New chapters are up every Friday. Expect the next one December 12th! Thank you again!
motormouth: LoL, well, now with the fear of being sued pushing me along, I can guarantee this story will be finished!!! Thank you so much for such nice comments! It means a LOT!!!!!!! See ya next week!
NadaZimri: Oh, and who said I was going to let her live? *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* :D Brumby...hmmmm....I don't know if I'm going to mention him or not. Grace might ask or somethin'. Good idea! Ah! I'm sick of turkey!!! har, har (MON RABB!!!) :D...uh, yeah, we've lost it.... 8^D
Mia: Hey there! LoL, I know what you mean! Trying to type something that seems so clear in our heads can often be difficult!!!! LoL, and you are cutting it close again! It's okay though. It's a nice surprise for me to see one last review for that chapter before the next one gets put up! This chapter is the middle of the Singer deal. Next chapter will finish with the Singer part of the story, and will have some aftermath as to what happened. This one is going to be a little longer, and dramatic, and a little sad, but hopefully good. So we'll have this chapter, the next, and maybe two chapters for the conclusion (and maybe there'll be a epilogue!). I hope ya like it! LoL, I'd said I was going to have Grace slip with Webb's son, and I tried to imagine Webb's response. It was funny in my head, I hope it was imaginable enough in everyone else's! :D I know the German isn't correct. I took German for a year or so and I know that "sorry" is actually "entschuldigung" ('scuse the *really* bad spelling), and what I wrote in the story is from a translation site. I knew it was wrong, but I wrote that last bit quickly and I didn't put much effort into making it correct. So sorry! Do you know how to say, "Sorry, we're out of pizza," correctly? If so, plz tell me and I'll re-upload that chapter with the correct version! Thank you again for such nice, helpful reviews! See ya next week!!!!! Ah! And look! You're lucky number ~*190*~ on the review list! *does happy dance* THANK YOU, MIA!!!!!!!
A/N: Just a quick note. I'm not sure if this is something that everybody knew but me, but I just found out that the woman David James Elliot has been married to for the past I think 12 years, is Nancy Chambers, who plays the infamous "Lt. Loren Singer." *shrug* I just found it surprising and interesting!
Chapter 8: Saving Singer0302 ZULU
Robert's House
Virginia
Harriet flipped the pages of the magazine too quickly to actually be reading them. Bud noticed this and glanced over at his wife.
"You all right, sweetie?"
Harriet forced a smile and put down the magazine. "Sure, why wouldn't I be?" She then slouched down in the bed and brought the covers up.
Bud switched off the TV with the remote, feeling one of those, "deep husband-wife discussions" coming. "Have you talked to Grace? The girl Commander Rabb has custody of?"
Harriet shrugged a shoulder. "Well, not really. I've tried, but she—"
"Doesn't like to answer questions." Bud finished for her.
She nodded. "I mean, it's not her fault. She lost a parent and she can't even tell us who it is...she must be scared."
Bud took the magazine that was resting on Harriet's stomach and browsed through a few pages. "You know, I don't remember Commander Rabb ever telling us he knew someone else in the CIA. I mean someone that closely."
Harriet turned to her side to face her husband, her expression filled with doubt. "It isn't so much that, but...you'd think a child who's just lost a parent would be more—emotional."
Bud thought about this, his brows drawn in. Harriet cocked her head on the pillow. "What is it, honey?"
Bud seemed surprised at first by the interruption of his thoughts. "I found her in the conference room a few days ago. She was crying, and I asked if it was about her 'parent,' and she just..."
"What?"
"Just kinda brushed it off."
Harriet took Bud's hand in hers. "Well, we don't know what happened exactly. Maybe she wasn't that close to him, or her? Or maybe she's so distraught by what's happened, she can't even talk about it?"
Bud nodded with strong assurance. "You're probably right," he glanced down at his wife, his assurance dwindling, "but it's still pretty strange. And what about her other parent?"
Hugging Bud's arm, Harriet continued to think through the different possibilities.
***
1412 ZULU
Harm's Apartment
Washington D.C.
Grace rolled over in the bed, her senses slowly coming back. Saturday. November 6th. Tomorrow would mark the anniversary of her first week in this new time. Had it only been a week? Merely seven days? It felt so much longer. And just how long was she going to stay here? A few months? A couple years? Grace shuddered at the thought. Everything she ever knew about her family, and their friends, would probably change. Grace felt her stomach knot when she thought about Webb, and how stupid it was of her when she mentioned his son. But it wasn't just him. What about her own parents? Would they grow farther apart with her being here, or closer together? And now the whole dilemma with Singer...
Grace threw the comforter over her head, and tried to imagine herself in her own bed, in her own room, in her own house, and in her own time. But she got one of those feelings you get when you try to imagine yourself in a different place, and you know for an absolute fact that you didn't go anywhere. It was still nice for her to imagine though. She could picture Isabel sneaking into the room and getting ready to pounce on her to wake her up. She could see her parents in the kitchen, her father standing over her mother as she tried to make her coffee, but unsuccessful as he wrapped his arms around her waist, trying to get her to kiss him. Grace almost laughed as she pictured Jake and Isabel screaming "ewww!" and running out of the room. Grace felt warm inside. Though this experience would go down in her life as the coolest she'd ever gone through, she still ached to feel Isabel run by her and poke her in the stomach, or wake up with Jake standing over her holding that disgusting rat in her face. Or even to be yelled at by her parents. To be told to do something. Harm and Mac didn't do that. Harm hardly ever told her to do anything. If she had displayed that outburst last night to her future parents, she'd have laundry and dish duty for the whole month.
Soft laughter drifted over from the kitchen. Her mother's laugh. Grace knew it anywhere. Her father's chuckle proceeded. Grace peeked out from under the comforter and saw her parents at the dining table. Coffee accompanied them as they spoke lightheartedly to each other. Grace smiled. They looked like a couple. But Grace knew they were probably discussing work...even on a Saturday.
Grace closed the little aperture she'd made, breaking off the cold that had made its way into the comforter, and tried to go back to sleep.
***
2330 ZULU
Benzinger's Restaurant
Virginia
Same day
"Alll right, that's a veggie wrap for you, sir...lasagna for you, hon...and a T-bone steak with baked potato, coleslaw, and a side salad with French dressing, ma'am."
Harm and Grace eyed Mac's meal as the waitress sat the two plates filled with food in front of the marine. Mac frowned, pointing at the meal.
"I ordered chili too."
The waitress glowered down at the ticket. "Huh. Sorry, ma'am, I'll be right back with that chili."
Mac's frown turned into a smile. "Thank you." She then centered the plate and placed a napkin over her lap. She reached for the catsup, turning the bottle upside down and beating the end of it over her steak and potato.
Harm and Grace exchanged glances, smirking. Mac noticed and put the catsup bottle down. "What?"
Harm just shook his head.
2352 ZULU
Mac dug through her purse on the way to the ladies' room, not bothering to look up, resulting in her knocking into someone. She stopped short when she saw who it was.
"Lieutenant, good evening." Mac's eyes widened at the sight. She almost didn't recognize her.
Singer looked annoyed at first until she realized who had knocked into her. "Colonel..."
Mac shouldered her purse. "You here on a date?"
Singer's frame stiffened. "Why would you say that, ma'am?"
Mac made a half-smile. "You're...dressed up, Lieutenant."
Singer looked over herself, as if she didn't know. "So I am. And if you'll excuse me, I'm on my way out. 'Night, ma'am." With that, she brushed past the colonel and out the doors into the focal of the restaurant.
"Good night." Mac murmured. Shaking it away, she went into the ladies' room.
"So lemme get this straight, you really need a search warrant to investigate someone's house?"
Harm drained the rest of his coffee and nodded. "Legally, anyway. Why?"
Instead of answering, Grace peered across the restaurant by the entrance. "Hey, isn't that Lieutenant Singer?"
Harm followed her gaze, his eyes widening for a moment at how Singer was dressed. "Yeah, looks like it."
Grace squinted her eyes. "Who is that with her?"
Her father shrugged. "Dunno, I can't see his face," Harm cringed, "Poor bastard."
Grace frowned. "Why?"
Harm seemed to just realize what he said and he silently chastised himself. "Singer isn't exactly the, well, the easiest person to get along with, and I was just...feeling bad for the guy."
Grace drank some of her Coke, still frowning. Harm bit his lip, leaning forward a little across the table.
"Look, are you gonna say anything more about what you told me a couple days ago?" He whispered.
Using her straw, Grace poked at the ice in her glass. "No."
Harm seemed disappointed at first. "Grace, I need you to promise me something."
The girl pushed the glass away and gave him her full attention.
"You may think that you're able to handle it, but—you probably can't. So it's best to just stay out of it, all right?"
Grace nodded and smiled, but she had no intention of listening to what he said.
***
2238 ZULU
JAG HQ
Falls Church, Virginia
Sunday had come and gone without Harm acknowledging the significance of the day. Grace thought it best not to remind him she'd been there for a whole week. And so Monday morning finally rolled around and adults went back to work, and kids were back in the classrooms. It was an pretty uneventful day at school. Webb had avoided her and pretended she wasn't there, causing the other agents around the school to work harder at spying on her. Agent Laux almost blew his cover though. Two guys got in a fight on the grounds, and Laux tried to stop it. In doing so, he demonstrated his apparent immense knowledge of the martial arts. As he was trying to break up the fight, the kids turned on him and he...rectified the situation. So, besides that, nothing else happened at school.
Grace sat in her father's chair in his office, twirling a pen in her hand. She watched the bullpen carefully, waiting for the person she needed, but not necessarily wanted, to speak with. And she'd have to catch her soon. The workday was almost over and Grace couldn't endure another sleepless night. She finally spotted her emerging from Admiral Chegwidden's office. Grace stood, taking the file in her hand. But she wouldn't get very far. Harriet poked her head around the office door and smiled.
"Hi, Grace!"
Grace stopped. She looked out the window and watched as Gunny stopped Singer, handing her a slip of paper.
"Hi, Lieutenant Sims." Grace replied distractedly.
Harriet fully entered the office, closing the door behind her.
No, I don't have time for this, Harriet!Singer was reading the paper that was given to her.
Harriet sat down in one of the chairs and patted the chair across from her. "Sit down, Grace."
She did so, but her head was still cranked in the direction of the bullpen.
"Grace, I realize you don't know me that well, but I know you're going through a tough time right now. So if you ever need anyone to talk to—"
Grace stood, making a quick smile and then heading for the door. "Thanks, Lieutenant, I appreciate it."
Harriet watched her leave and then stood, watching her follow Singer out the bullpen doors. Harriet shook her head, wondering why anyone would want to rush to talk to that woman.
***
Grace caught up with Singer, but was greeted with a grouchy, "get out of the way, kid."
"Lieutenant!" She called after her.
Singer rolled her eyes as she kept on walking. "Are you deaf?"
Grace followed her into her office before Singer could shut the door in her face. The young attorney scowled.
"Why do you keep following me?"
"I need to talk to you about something." Grace explained.
Singer neatly placed a couple files in her briefcase, not really listening to her. "You have the two minutes it'll take me to get ready to leave."
Grace hadn't thought about how she'd start the conversation. She was hoping that the last time she spoke to Singer, the woman was just having a bad day. But it seemed she was always like this.
"I know about the affair." Grace said bluntly.
Singer had just snapped the briefcase closed, and her hands were still on the latches. "I don't know what you're talking about." She snapped as put on her coat.
Grace tossed the file and it landed on the briefcase. Singer stared at it for a moment, apparently afraid to open it. But her fear diminished as she buttoned her coat and slipped her black leather gloves on.
"Aren't you going to look at it?" Grace prodded.
Singer picked up the briefcase, letting the file slide onto the desk. "No."
As she headed towards the door, Grace backed up against it. Singer fixed her with a deadly stare.
"Move." She said between clenched teeth.
"Look at the file."
"No."
"It has photographs of Commander Lindsey going into your apartment after 1900 on a Friday night. I think they're worth a look."
Singer looked like someone had just stabbed her in the stomach and her eyes bulged. But it was apparent that she was more angry than afraid.
"You've been spying on me?" She hissed.
"Not really," Grace lied, "I was with a friend in the cafe across the street. I saw you go into your apartment. Then I recognized Commander Lindsey from the Navy Times when he was passed over for captain. Why are you doing this, Lieutenant? You know it's against the law!"
Singer's lips formed a thin line as she listened to Grace. But she knew under that mask, that Singer was probably steaming mad. What Grace knew could destroy her career, and whatever reputation she had. But Grace had to keep reminding herself that it was better than Singer getting murdered. Even if she ended up serving two-to-five at Leavenworth.
"What do you want?" It was the first time Singer's tone didn't sound threatening.
Grace shook her head. "Break it off. And I won't go to the admiral with this."
This only ignited the fire that was stirring Singer's emotions. "You nosy little brat! You would take this to Chegwidden? What's in it for you?"
"Nothing!" Grace answered honestly. "But trust me when I say it's a matter of life and death! Break it off with Lindsey and I won't say anything!"
Singer backed up, grabbing the file. Then she came up to Grace, putting her index finger in her face.
"You breathe a word of this, and you'll regret it."
With that, she pushed Grace away from the door, yanked it open, and stormed out. Grace still stood on the other side of the door, a hand on her shoulder where Singer had pushed her. That hadn't gone exactly how she'd hoped, but it got the message across. Grace then reached down into the pocket of her sweater. She took out the tape recorder and pushed the stop button. She now had a statement.
***
0030 ZULU
North of Union Station
Washington D.C.
Grace and Eric sat on the only rug in the apartment near the door and played the card game, Crazy Eights while Grace rambled about the encounter she had with Singer.
"You should've seen the look on her face," Grace murmured as she shook her head, "I thought she was gonna kill me."
Eric put down an eight card. "Hearts."
Grace scowled and took a card from the deck, luckily getting a hearts on the first try.
"But did she confess?" Eric prodded as he put a king of hearts down.
She grunted. "Barely. She didn't deny it...and she threatened my life, so I guess that's enough. And I recorded it."
Eric whipped his head up. "Nuh-uh! You did?"
She just nodded.
Eric lazily made a circular motion with his hand. "Annnd..."
Grace narrowed her eyes and laughed. "I'm not letting you listen to it!"
His jaw dropped open in mock shock. "Why? I helped you!"
"You did not!"
"I drove you to the cafe, didn't I?"
Grace cocked her head to the side. "If I took the bus there, would I be giving the bus driver credit?"
Eric shrugged. "That's his job!" Then looking down, he placed his last card on the stack, grinning. "I win."
The lock on the other side of the apartment door clicked and it opened, knocking into Eric, who'd been leaning his back against it. Eric stood, rubbing his shoulder. Harm entered the apartment, confused at first. When he saw Eric, his eyes narrowed and he glanced over at Grace who still sat on the floor.
Harm pointed at him, but looked at Grace. "Eric?"
Grace nodded. "Eric."
Eric put out his hand to be shaken. "Eric." He confirmed.
Harm cautiously shook his hand, giving him that look Grace recognized as hostile. She stood, planting herself between Eric and Harm, facing her father. "He was just leaving." She turned her head to Eric, "weren't you?"
Eric shouldered his backpack and opened the door. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Rabb. See ya, Gracie."
When he shut the door, Harm locked it behind him and gave his daughter an indecipherable expression.
"Gracie?" He mimicked.
Grace forced a cheery smile. "So, you and Mac figure out what to do with that case?"
"What were you two doing?" Harm asked, ignoring Grace's attempt to change the subject.
Grace shrugged a shoulder and nodded her head to the cards on the floor. "Just playin' cards."
He cocked an eyebrow, apparently not believing her.
Grace rolled her eyes. "My relationship with Eric is strictly platonic!"
"Mmhm." Harm answered as he took off his coat.
"It is!"
***
0130 ZULU
Singer's Apartment
Washington D.C.
Loren sat in the dark, waiting for him to call. She couldn't risk calling his place, there was too much of a chance that his wife would be there. But Loren needed to talk to him. She wasn't one to just back down when challenged, or to feel threatened by a teenage girl, but there was something about that kid. Perhaps she got it from her mysterious "parent" who used to work for the CIA. The kid (whose name Loren couldn't recall at the moment) had a certain...aura that made Loren feel she had to listen to her.
Ted would be horrified. He'd probably blame her for talking. But she didn't say anything! She merely threatened the girl! But of course doing that was just a bad as admitting to the crime. Loren shuddered and brought her feet onto the chair, hugging her knees. She would have to break it off. She glanced over to the coffee table across from her and stared at the manila rectangular folder containing the photographs. She didn't completely buy the kid's story about just happening to be across the street in that cafe at the same time Ted came over. Or how she just happened to have a camera on her. Loren also took into consideration when on Friday, she returned to her office and noticed a few things were out of place. And that her Word document, on the computer, was minimized to the tool bar. She was certain she left it open. Loren felt a surge of anger thinking about that girl going through her things. So if she didn't by chance happen to be where she was at the right time, how in the world did even suspect them of the affair? Loren thought it was kept perfectly secret! She even hit on Harm's half brother so if someone suspected her of having a romantic relationship, they'd think it was with Sergei. Loren suddenly shuddered, wondering what Sergei would think of her if he found out. He really wanted something with her, but Loren hadn't meant for it to become serious. Sergei was her backup plan. Now that she thought about it, what she used him for was probably cruel, but necessary.
The phone rang and Loren stirred in the chair. She picked it up, taking a deep breath before she said, "hello." It was him, calling right on time.
"No, I can't tonight...I have a lot of work to do...sorry." She softly placed the receiver back onto the cradle. Why didn't she say anything? She didn't want to continue this. She wanted to be free. But it would be hard convincing him to feel the same way.
***
1715 ZULU
Fairfax High
Virginia
Grace and Eric paid for their lunches and set out among the other students to find a table. Eric spotted an empty one on the other side of the room. They maneuvered in between all the kids, securing their trays since it was easy for them to be knocked over. And it only took a second longer for Grace to notice Special Agent Laux, who was re-painting the wall next to the table. He turned his head only slightly and gave her a sidelong glance. But it disappeared as quickly as it came and he continued to paint. Grace pretended not to notice him. Eric could've cared less about the guy.
"How many days has it been?" Eric asked, noting how quiet Grace was.
"Three." She replied quietly. "It doesn't look like she took me seriously."
Eric opened a packet of catsup, but squeezed it too tight and it squirted all over his hand. He groaned as he wiped it off. Eric shrugged, rejoining in their conversation.
"Well, you tried. There's only so much you can do—"
"I'm telling the admiral." Grace murmured.
Eric shook his head, not believing what he was hearing. "What? You're actually gonna rat 'er out?"
"I have to."
"No, you don't! Jesus, Grace, just let it be, will ya?"
Grace cringed as some of the kids at the nearby table turned their heads, giving them odd looks. Keeping her voice hushed, Grace tried to defend herself.
"Look, you wouldn't understand—"
Eric took hold of his tray and stood. "You're right—only a friend would understand you."
And that was that. He stomped away, leaving her feel like a betrayer.
Agent Laux sighed from a few feet away from her. "So, do you think you have enough evidence for an Article 32?"
Grace slowly turned her neck to look at him. Her eyes skipped around the room to see if anyone noticed. All the students were engaged in their own conversations. "I think so..." Grace answered hesitantly.
Laux grunted as he stepped onto the ladder and rolled the paint onto the wall. "Put your hand under your chair."
Grace scrunched her nose in disgust. "No way! There's probably ten pieces of gum stuck under this chair!"
"Do it." Laux ordered without turning to look at her.
Grace sighed and slouched in the plastic seat, nonchalantly dropping her arm. She felt under the chair for only a second and came in contact with a medium sized envelope taped to the chair. She ripped it off and placed it in her lap.
"Don't open it here." Laux, who kept on painting, instructed.
"What is it?"
"Better photographs of Singer and Lindsey meeting off duty in various places, each clearly displaying fraternization. That recording of yours should help too."
Grace cocked an eyebrow. "Why are you helping me?"
Laux shrugged. "We're the Central Intelligence Agency—we can do whatever we want."
Grace caught his use of "we" and she looked around the cafeteria again. She knew there was something up with that lunch lady. And there was a new student around here (who strictly kept to himself) that looked a tad older than 18. He was probably twenty-five, fresh out of the CIA Academy, if there was such a place.
"As for your friend—"
Grace interrupted him by making a dismissive wave of her hand. "I'll handle it."
"Might I make a suggestion?"
Grace put her fork down and bit her lip. "What?"
Laux stepped off the ladder and put the paint roller in a metal tray on the floor. "Tell him the truth," Laux put his hands up in defense when Grace opened her mouth to protest, "don't tell him the truth truth, just the truth that's true but isn't."
Grace shook her head quickly. "You lost me."
"You know, what everybody at JAG thinks is true."
She rolled her eyes and leaned an elbow on the table, resting her forehead on her hand. "He'll never believe my 'parent' was in the CIA."
Laux made a chuckle as he took a towel and tried to wipe the paint from his hands. "You'd be surprised how many kids here have parents who work for the government."
Grace made a half smile. "Wouldn't the kids of spooks be in prep-schools or whatever?"
Laux closed the canister of white paint and shrugged. "Eric isn't."
She blinked and her jaw dropped. Before she could further question exactly what Laux meant, he took the folded ladder and the rest of his painting equipment under his arms, and strode away with pep in his stride, whistling "Hail to the Chief."
***
2130 ZULU
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Grace had given Singer another chance, but it was hopeless. Singer had completely ignored her. So Grace wasn't going to sit on her hands anymore. But as she stepped closer towards the admiral's office, holding the file tightly in her hands, she desperately felt the need to turn around and just let life run its course. But then a woman would die. And Grace would always feel like the blood was on her hands. Grace kept telling herself that as she entered the side office. Tiner wasn't there. Grace stepped up to the closed, cherry wood door labeled, "private" and knocked. The gruff voice from inside said to come in. Grace turned the handle and pushed the door open. Chegwidden glanced up, his eyes blinking in surprise. He'd obviously expected office personnel and not her.
"What can I do for you?" He asked cautiously.
Grace stepped up to his desk and placed the file on top of the papers A.J. had been signing.
"I think you should take a look at this."
***
2200 ZULU
"...You did the right thing...you did the right thing...you did the right thing..." Grace whispered to herself as she hugged her knees.
She was on the floor behind her father's desk, running a finger over the seams on his leather chair. A few minutes after Grace had left the admiral's office, her parents were called to see Chegwidden ASAP. Feeling like she was going to faint, Grace hid in Harm's office and behind his desk, hoping no one would see her. She did this once when she was little. As a child, she'd always been fascinated by the yellow bi-plane in her father's office. She'd been told repeatedly not to touch it, and she didn't when no one was looking. But of course one time she was left unattended in his office and she saw it as the perfect opportunity to get a close-up look at that plane. Well, as bad luck seemed to strike all curious children, little Grace had dropped the plane while zooming it around the room, resulting in a damaged wing. So seeing no place to go, she chose to lie in wait for her punishment under her father's desk. Of course now it was too small a spot to fit into, so she sat next to the opening, the discomfort of the drawer handles digging into her back.
It must have been about ten minutes before she heard the office door behind her open swiftly and close with a slam, the Venetian blinds colliding against the door. Her father only took a couple steps into the room before he stopped at the side of the desk. Grace glanced over and saw his shoes. His feet turned and he leaned against the side of the desk so Grace couldn't see him.
"You know, I'm fairly certain I told you to stay out of it." He murmured. He was mad. Grace could tell. Her father wasn't one to rant and rave when he was angry. Instead, he would just place all the facts on the table, and make you feel guilty as hell. But Grace didn't need his form of punishment this time. She already felt guilty.
"I know."
"You realize that you're going to have to testify at the hearing."
Grace responded with the same, "I know."
"Good. Now go to Mac. She's bringing you to my apartment so you can pack a few things. You're staying with her for as long as this case holds out."
Grace gasped and scrambled to her feet. "What are you talking about?"
Harm turned around, crossing his arms. "I'm defending Singer. Since you're testifying against her—"
"I can't believe it! You don't trust me?"
"Oh, I lost whatever trust I had in you about ten minutes ago." Harm walked over to the door and opened it, gesturing for her to leave. Grace's feet stood rooted to the floor for a few seconds. His expression was so cold and it reminded her of when he interrogated her at the CIA HQ...when he didn't trust her.
Grace swallowed and grasped her coat that hung over her father's chair and draped it over her arm. She stepped swiftly over to her father, who was still holding the door open. She crossed her arms and gave a true expression of remorse. "Sorry."
He didn't say anything and kept his eyes on the floor.
***
0030 ZULU
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown, Virginia
Grace inched into her mother's kitchen. Mac filled two plates to the brim with vegetables, macaroni, and sausage. She knew her mother was aware she was in the room. Her head had turned slightly in her direction when she entered the room. Mac turned around though to confirm her suspicions and forced a smile. Grace did the same as she sat down at the kitchen table. Mac came over with the two plates and sat down, not bothering to initiate a conversation. Grace stared at her food. It was her mother's favorite combination. Grace didn't really care for it. She was never one-sided about her food preferences. She'd usually just eat whatever was placed in front of her. But now, she just didn't have an appetite. Grace looked up at her mother. She had her hands in her lap and was also simply staring at her plate.
"You're not hungry either?" Grace asked.
Mac made a half smile and shook her head. "For once." She said with a strained laugh.
Grace didn't laugh at her mother's attempt to cheer her up and drank some of her water. Mac pursed her lips and then pushed her plate away, leaning forward with her elbows on the table.
"Look, Gracie, he's just disappointed. He doesn't want anything to happen to you—"
"Nothing was going to happen to me!" She exclaimed, "I knew what was going to happen, and I wasn't going to stand on the sidelines and watch!"
Mac nodded. "Yeah, Harm told me what you...sort of told him about Singer's future."
"It's true," Grace insisted, "You told me about it."
Mac reached over and grasped her daughter's hand, looking her straight in the eye. "It's going to be tough tomorrow. But understand, the things that Harm's going to ask...it's not personal. He's doing his job."
Grace wanted to believe that. She was desperate to believe it. But she knew that whatever happened tomorrow, would change this crazy life she was in, forever.
***
TBC
***
*eerie music plays*...*DUN, DUN, DUNNNN!!!!*... :D ...hope ya'll liked it! See ya next week!!!!
~sancti