Thank you!!!!!!!!
Pissed Off Poet: LOL, truth is, I didn't mean to update early. Okay, this is really stupid, but I spent all Wednesday finishing chapter 12, thinking it was a Thursday...*shrug*...I have no idea. But when I posted it, a few hours later I just went...oh...crap...lol, but I kept it on there any way. Oh I know, I do torture Grace don't I?! Yeah, I can't wait to do an epilogue after the last chapter!! Thank you and see ya next week!!!
Mimmi: LoL, well, you'll just have to read to see whether she goes back or not!! :D. LoL, I know, I don't want this story to end, and I was a little happy this wasn't finished last week. But, all good things come to an end sometimes...:(....LoL, don't ppl in Sweden speak Dutch?? It looks like such a pretty language, but difficult. Thank you and see ya next week *waves back* :D.
#1jagfan: Heehee, aww, I don't want it to end either! But it must, sometime. But do not worry, there will be an epilogue, and probably a sequel in a month or so. Thank you, and see ya next week!!! :)
e-dog: LoL, I know, wow...Grace and Eric...hmm...she'll get that resolved in this chappy :). And I knew Grace had to tell Harm and Mac sometime soon. You'll also see why below :). LOL, I'm glad you like the extra chapters. Then of course the epilogue, so it's not over yet!!! Oh, your story is sooo good! I love Mondays now, :D. Really, it's an awesome story! Hey, thanks a bunch, and see ya next week!!
Kiwi: Heehee, well, the stuff with Eric will be in the epilogue, but there will most definitely be stuff with Clay at the end of this chappy. Heehee, yes, it is difficult, but so much fun!!!!! See ya next week!!! Ah! And look! You're lucky number ~*290*~ on the review list!!! *does happy dance* THANK YOU, KIWI!!!!!!
Deb: Heehee, I can't wait for you to read what happens in her own time!! But there will be little of that at the end of the chapter, and a whole lot more of it in the epilogue due next week. Thank you, and see ya next week!!!
Cmaf: LOL, I don't really MEAN to leave you hangin' so much! It just seemed like a good place to end the chapter!! Really, I'm not completely evil!! :), heeheehee...i would like this to go on forever too, but you know. Thank you, and see ya next week!!!
Cassie: LoL, *cowers*, I'm sorry for making you wait! Really, I am!! I agree with you, she needs to go back to her family, in the place and time she belongs. Oh, and I can't wait for you to seee how I ended it!!! So, go! Read!!! :D thanks, and see ya next week!
NadaZimri: Heehee, yeah, I brought Clay Jr. back in the mix...heehee....anywho, thank you about the leaf, I enjoyed writing that little part. It just came to me, I didn't get it from anywhere...gosh, I wish all the greatest ideas were like that *shakes head*...Thanks, and see ya next week!!! :)
DD: Hey there! MUAHAHAHA, I'm evil!!!! :)...well....hopefully not too evil *sniff*. Yes, yes, yes, there will most likely be a sequel!!! There will be an epilogue next Friday, then a sequel in a month or so, (I need some time to think about what will happen). Thank you, and see ya next week!!!!!
Carby24/7: Aw, you're welcome!!! Really, I had it completely planned out! In theory, this should be the epilogue. But there was just so much going on, and I knew it would be a really long chapter if I included it all, so I decided to give ya'll a couple more weeks. :). Oh my, no, thank you so much!!!! :D ....see ya next week, Jane!
ArwenUndomiel: LOL, I'm sorry for confusing you!!!!! I didn't mean for it to work out this way, my estimation was majorly off. When I was writing the last chapter, I was like, "There is no way I'm gonna be able to finish this thing in one chapter!!!" I know, Grace is gonna have to go through some emotional goodbyes. I can't wait for you to read it!!! Oh, okay, I wasn't sure how much you knew about season 9. Okay, yes, the Christmas episode was the custody hearing for Mattie. It was quite a rocky episode, because Mattie's alcoholic father came into the picture, but in the end, Harm gets her and she's in his custody, at least for now. Hmmm, Harm's and Mac's wedding...I dunno, I might be able to fit that in here (I'm writing this review before I started writing the chapter). I believe I can fit it in. There are a bunch of little scenes that are gonna be in here, but I think I can make the wedding work...heeheehee, thank you, heeheehee....See ya next week!!!
Sunchaser2: Yes, it is going to be a little sad, :( ...but it will have a happy ending, I promise. There will be more in the epilogue, and I'm still tossin' around ideas for the possible sequel. Thank you, and see ya next week!!!
Nikole1025: LOL, don't worry, I will finish!!! Aww, well, soon enough, when I get the sequel up, you can look forward to Fridays again! :). LOL, thank you so much, and see ya next week!!
MissMobster: Welcome!!! WoW, you read all of the chapters at once??? I don't think I'd be able to do that, lol. I've done that with other stories though. Run into it, read the whole thing, then find out there's, like, 2 chapters left, lol. But it's great to have you!!! That is a good suggestion!! So I'll tell ya what I'm gonna do. This is gonna be the last chapter, but there will be an epilogue, and a sequel in maybe a month to extend on Grace trying to go back to her old life, and how to deal with her old family. :D . Anywho, thank you so much for being interested and telling me what you think!!! See ya next week!! Ah! And look! You're lucky number, "DING, DING, DING!!!!!" ~*~300~*~ on the review list!!!!!!! *confetti falls and I do my happy dance* THANK YOU, MISS MOBSTER!!!!!!!!!!!
SarahRabb705: Ah! I'm glad you're still here!! Thank you!! I thought it would be a bit of a comfort for Grace if she met someone who knew what she was going through. Thank you for commenting on that ;). Yes, she does need to go back! It's where she belongs!! Thank you, and see you next week!!!
NavyCB: Ah! Thank you! Ahh, do not worry!!! This chapter will end with, well, the obvious, but the epilogue will be the aftermath, and then the possible sequel that I've been not-so-subtly hinting :D. Heehee, will she remember?? Hmm, I guess you'll have to wait and see...heeheehee....I'm so evil...heehee...and lovin' it!!! Thanks, and see ya next week!
maggie: Hey there! I know, yay for Grace, but "awww" for Harm and Mac!!! Thank you, and see ya next week!
Words unspoken: Hey there! Welcome!! Heehee, well, I didn't really plan on it being longer. In theory, this chapter should be the epilogue, but *shrug* , whatever works!! Thank you so much, and see you next week!!!
Jagchick105: Hey there! Hehe, well, it will be emotional..*sniff... Thank you so much! Oh, I'm just glad I knew the ending when I did. I really hate writing a story without knowing how it will end, cause then I have nothing to work up to! 5-10 years they've been doing the mock trials? Wow, okay. Really, so the JAG guy was probably pretty young *grin*..heehee...Omg, you're going to be homeschooled! Congratulations!!! We've been homeschooling for a pretty solid 5 years now. I was in regular school from K-4th grade, and my parents also was...disappointed by the school. My bro joined in the middle of 8th grade, and now he's at college. Is it hard?? Well, I'll tell ya right now, first year is the most difficult, just because it's new and different, and you have to find what works for you. And you have to have a pretty good relationship with your Mom/Dad, LoL. Cause you have to get used to seeing them a LOT. :). My first year, we tried this program called, "Alpha Omega." Lemme tell right now, DO NOT start with that. In fact, the top books I can recommend are Saxon for math (there are also CD's made by a Dr. David ..umm...David..umm...dang it, I forget his last name, but he's the only dude to make CDs to go with the books). For science, my absolute first choice is Dr. Jay L. Wile's books. He's a genius, and his books are presented in the way that he's talking to YOU. The courses are pretty intense, but it's all very interesting. I'm taking Biology right now, and I hate science, but classifying bacteria has somehow peaked my interest and I like it now, so, yeah, lol. The only thing about Wile's books is, I'm not sure if this is okay with your family, but he presents it in a Christian outlook. But he does explain the differences between Evolution and the Christian belief of how the world started, and he kinda lets you choose which way ya wanna go. But anywho, those are two great courses you can start out with. Umm...if you have any other questions, my email is: cqc_hatshepsut_kv5 at yahoo (i had to do that, cause this site doesn't allow URLs in the uploads, rolls eyes), and if your parents have questions, I'll give you my mom's email. And yes, lol, personally, I think I have much more time in the day to write (this is strictly how I ever got the time to update this story consistently). We start school at 9 am, and usually I finish around 3:00. But then I'm DONE for the day. No homework. That's the beauty of it :). Anyway, I've really rambled on that one, so I'll let ya read now. Thank you and see ya next week!!
Pennithil: Hmm...I thought over this one for quite a while, and morally, it'd be best for her to go back. She has her real family and she should be with them. But the Grace/Eric dilemma will be a little tragic in this chapter, and then the epilogue will explain more about Grace and Clay. Anywho, I don't wanna let out too much or else there won't be any surprises, so I'll shut it now. :D ...see ya next week!!!
CharmedMummy: LOL, as SOON as you pointed out that little mistake (*bangs head on desk because she missed it*) I got right to it and re-uploaded the chapter with the *ahem* correct content. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for pointing that out so I could fix it. Nobody else said anything, so thank you SOOO much for telling me!!! Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. See ya next week!!!
Winnie Bear: Thank you so much for the motivating comments!!!!! I can't wait for you to read! See ya next week!
Katie Conner: Hey there! Thank you so much! Hehe, don't worry, the story is updated every Thursday night (sometimes really late Thursday nights...). And when I get the sequel goin' there will be the same schedule. LOL, hmmm, don't worry, I'll make room for Webb in here, ;). This is pretty much a goodbye (hence the title) chapter for Grace.
A/N: I'm terrible. I really am. I have yet another chapter before the last chapter. Some ideas sparkled and I again didn't have as much time as I would have wanted. But I PROMISE you, the next chapter is the last. Just about all my creative juices for this story have been squeezed out and I'm only left with a few things. Um, I think what I'm gonna do is deliver the last chapter and the epilogue at the same time, but in two separate chapters. I've loved this story, but I need a break. :)
~sancti
Little Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, the song, "Scum of the Earth," belongs to Rob Zombie, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Chapter 13: Dosvodanya, Adieu, and Farewell0112 ZULU
Rabb Home
Georgetown, Virginia
Grace rubbed her wet head vigorously with the bath towel as she closed her bedroom door. All afternoon she had felt...dirty. She guessed it was because of kissing Eric.
Grace tossed the towel into a clothesbasket in her closet, then sauntered over to her stereo. Not really caring what CD was in it, she pushed play. To her surprise, a Rob Zombie song blasted out of the speakers, the sound swelling in her enclosed room. But it was good enough. The words were a little angrier than she felt, but it as loud as she wanted to scream.
"Run and kill—destroy the will A hero that doesn't exist, yeah! Smoking gun—well, I am the one A bullet hole in your fist, yeah!" Grace then remembered it was a CD Eric let her borrow. She sat down on her bed, brushing her wet hair as the refrain played. "Hey! I'm breathing! Hey! I'm bleeding! Hey! I'm screaming—Scum of the Earth, come on!" The refrain played again and Grace listened to the haunting words. As a short, distortion-filled guitar solo entered, Grace bent down and reached under her bed until she felt the familiar box. Exactly where she placed it ten months ago. She brought it up on the bed, and slowly opened the cardboard lid. Grace lifted out the single object, holding it in her lap. The photograph seemed so old now, the edges creased and worn. She studied her face. She looked so young here.Grace suddenly heard a loud knock on her door, someone obviously trying to be heard over the music. Grace quickly placed the photo back in the shoebox, closing it, and leaned over the edge of the bed, shoving the shoebox under it. She then grabbed a book on her end table, and opened it.
"Come in."
The door clicked open and Mac poked her head into the room. "Hey."
Grace glanced up from the book and gave a small smile. "Hey."
Mac walked in, balancing a clothesbasket against her hip. She opened Grace's closet and added her clothes to the pile she already had. When Mac turned around, the song went into the refrain again. Her mother narrowed her eyes and slowly stepped up to the stereo, which sat on Grace's dresser. She examined all the dials and buttons, and found the volume control. She turned it way down so it was barely audible, then turned to her daughter, her expression cynical.
Grace spoke up immediately in defense. "It's Eric's, not mine."
Mac made a silent, "oh," as she headed for the door. But she stopped and whipped around. "I almost forgot, you got two calls when you were in the shower."
"From who?"
"Eric and Daniel, but don't worry, I told Daniel you wouldn't be able to get back with—"
Grace practically leapt out of the bed, the book falling to the floor. "Eric called?"
Mac nodded. "Mmhm."
"What'd he say? What did he sound like?!" Grace pleaded.
Mac cocked a thin eyebrow and set the basket on the floor, crossing her arms over her chest. "You mean, what did I gather from his mood when he said, 'This is Eric, tell Grace to call me back?' "
Grace bobbed her head up and down several times.
Mac shrugged a shoulder. "He sounded...like Eric...maybe a little less high strung...why? What happened?"
Grace, unsatisfied with her mother's answer, plopped back down on the bed, drawing her knees up. She then mumbled something that resembled, "I don't wanna talk about it," but Mac sat down next to her anyway, reaching over and brushing her wet hair, draped in front of her face, behind her shoulder.
"Come on, Gracie, we always talk about this stuff."
That was true. Throughout the year, Grace had had her share of boyfriends, none lasting more than a couple months, if that much. And she'd always been able to discuss it with her mother. Why was she so reserved in talking about it now?
"Eric he—he kissed me today."
Mac blinked. Grace understood her mother's surprise. Her relationship with Eric had always been completely platonic up until a few months ago. Grace hadn't said anything, but she knew Eric was acting differently towards her. It was subtle enough for her and her alone to notice.
"How...the hell did that happen?"
"Mixed signals, I guess," Grace said as she laced and unfolded her hands in her lap, "I dunno, it just happened."
Mac took in a breath and held it. "Did...anything else..." she swallowed, "...happen?"
Grace rolled her eyes at Mac and she shook her head. "No. I pushed him away and he left. I'm shocked he called."
After a moment of silence, Mac patted Grace's shoulder and stood. "Well, call him back, see what he has to say."
"I will—oh, and Mom?"
Mac turned around, again balancing the clothesbasket on her hip. "Yeah?"
"Don't tell Dad, he'll freak."
An amused grin played across Mac's lips. "Sure."
***
0520 ZULU
Harm swooshed the mouthwash around in his mouth while glaring at Mac's reflection as she carried a stack of folded towels into the bathroom. Mac stopped in her tracks when she saw his expression in the mirror.
"What?" She asked innocently.
Harm spat the mouthwash in the sink, then grabbed the top half of the towels from the stack, which was hindering Mac's frontal vision.
"Thanks." She said with a smile as she opened the closet.
"You know, at dinner," Harm started as Mac took the towels from him, "I couldn't help but think you guys were hiding something from me."
Mac closed the closet door and walked past him into the bedroom. "What made you think that?" Mac threw over her shoulder.
Harm followed her out, helping her take the decorative pillows off the bed. "Well, for the first time ever, neither of you ate much."
Mac picked up her pillow and fluffed it, or punched it was a better term. Harm cringed. He couldn't help but think Mac was imagining the pillow was him...
"Come on, Harm, we all know eating your Chinese food is an adventure in itself."
Harm frowned, looking thoroughly hurt. "I thought you liked my Chinese food?"
"That was before I knew I was gonna spend the rest of my life with you," Mac chuckled, "I was just being polite."
Harm sighed as he and Mac got under the covers. "Yeah, well, I'm planning on trying my hand at Korean next. You like Kim Chi?"
Mac rolled her eyes as she reached for a magazine on her end table. "I'm sure I won't if you cook it." Mac mumbled.
Harm scoffed. "Geeze, Mac, what's with the personal attacks tonight? I feel like your punching bag."
Mac turned her head to her fiancée, her jaw hanging a little. "I—I'm sorry, Harm," She stuttered, "I don't know what got into me."
Harm seemed to accept the apology and nodded. "It's okay. I'd just like to know exactly what's bothering you. The wedding? Grace?"
Mac lightly nodded her head from side to side. "A little of both."
"So you and Grace are hiding something?"
Mac sighed sharply. After a moment of silence, Mac made a small growl of frustration, turning to Harm, and pointed a finger in his face. "Look, you can't breathe a word of this, you promise?"
"I promise." Harm replied innocently.
"Okay...Grace was kissed by Eric today."
Harm blinked, his jaw slowly dropping. "She did what with who?!"
"Shh!" Mac hissed, "I told her I wouldn't say anything to you!"
"What do you mean? Why wouldn't she want me to know?!"
Mac made a dry chuckle. "Harm, you've always hated all her boyfriends."
"I have not!"
"Yes you have!"
"...Okay, I have...but I didn't hate Eric."
"But he kissed her."
"I know. What I meant was, I've always hated her boyfriends from the start. I never hated Eric."
Mac dropped her head a little. "Until now."
"Until now." Harm confirmed.
Mac shook her head, wondering how that conversation actually made sense. "Look, Harm, just...don't say anything to her, all right?"
"All right." Harm answered restlessly as he laid down in the bed.
"And don't treat Eric any differently."
"I won't!"
"Especially since he and his parents are coming over for dinner tomorrow night."
Mac avoided Harm's expression by turning off her lamp, and sinking down into the covers, turning on her side.
***
2230 ZULU
Rabb Home
Virginia
Next Day
Mac sat the extra three dinner plates. Two across from Grace's seat, and one next to her. As she placed the knives and forks, a pot clattered in the kitchen causing, yet again, Grace's cat, Merlin to tear out of there. Mac watched the cat as it skidded past her into the foyer, and scrambled up the stairs. Mac made a light chuckle.
Having the feeling she was needed in the kitchen, Mac pushed open the swinging door. What she saw made her jaw drop. Grace stood motionless a foot away from Harm, who stared down at his feet. And at his feet, a pot rolled around on the floor, with its contents (Harm's homemade tomato sauce) splattered all over the floor and up to Harm's shins. Mac stepped slowly into the room.
"What happened?"
Harm and Grace seemed to just realize Mac was in the room, and they whipped their heads around at her. Grace picked up the pot, containing barely a cup of sauce, and placed it on the stove.
"I'd taken it off the burner, and the handles were hot, and I..."
Tomato sauce had formed around Harm's shoes and when he backed away, the sauce filled in the footprints. Mac, at a loss for words, just pointed at the garage door, which connected into the kitchen.
"Just...go get the mop."
Harm took off his shoes and grabbed the roll of paper towels. Mac brought the trashcan over as the two started to clean up the mess.
"Well, what do we do now?" Mac grumbled as she tossed a sauce-soaked paper towel into the trash.
Harm shrugged. "We still have Prego."
Grace came back in with the mop, but handed it to Mac when the doorbell rang. "They're early." She murmured as she left the kitchen.
Grace hurriedly approached the door, and then halted in front of it, smoothing over her blouse and patting her hair. Feeling as satisfied as she could be, she took in a deep breath and opened the door. The three jerked their heads up, as if they'd been talking. Grace smiled politely and stepped back so the Stiles could come in.
"Evening, Grace!" Mrs. Stiles said with a kind smile.
Grace had always liked the woman. She was thoughtful and quite gregarious, always wanting to talk to someone. Grace knew that was where Eric had inherited the trait. He certainly didn't get it from Mr. Stiles. Grace often wondered how the three could ever live together. Mr. Stiles was quiet, reserved, and seemed to carry a perpetual frown. He was also a field agent who was being sent to Saudi Arabia in a few days. Certainly not anything to be happy about, and Mr. Stiles didn't try to hide it. He nodded his graying head at Grace.
Eric stood in between in his parents, his arms crossed and his expression deadpan. He looked just the way Grace had imagined when she talked to him on the phone the night before.
Mrs. Stiles broke the awkward silence and held up a foil-covered plate. "My homemade fudge."
Grace reached to take it, but Mrs. Stiles recoiled and instead headed towards the kitchen. "I'll take it and see if I can help in there."
Suddenly remembering the accident and not wanting to embarrass her parents, Grace skidded past her and stood in front of the kitchen door.
"You shouldn't go in there."
Mrs. Stiles narrowed her brown eyes. "Why?"
Grace turned her head a little towards the door. "Um...because Harm and Mac don't really like anyone in the kitchen when they're cooking!" Grace said it loudly, hoping her parents would hear from inside. Mrs. Stiles waved her had dismissively.
"Nonsense." The woman pushed past Grace, shoving the swinging door open. Grace followed her in with Mr. Stiles behind her, to find her parents hovered over the stove. They both picked up their heads and grinned. Grace also observed that Harm was in a different pair of jeans. Where he got them, and how, Grace wasn't sure, and didn't really want to know.
"Mike, Jackie, I'm so glad you could come! Let me take your coats." Mac went over to them and hugged each. As the adults exchanged pleasantries, Grace took this as an opportunity to talk to Eric alone. She quietly stepped out of the kitchen and down the hallway to see Eric in the living room. He was examining photographs that rested on the fireplace mantel. Grace walked silently into the living room and stood next to him.
"This is a good photo of you." Eric pointed to a photograph of her and her parents at the Marines vs. Navy baseball game
Grace smirked. "We had a good time there."
Eric glanced over at her and gave her a once over. "You look nice."
She was wearing a white button-down shirt with three-fourths sleeves. She then wore a black eyelet skirt that went modestly to her knees. As opposed to Eric, who had baggy blue jeans and a black T-shirt displaying the letters, "VH" for "Van Halen."
The two stayed silent for record time until Eric pointed to the front door. "You know, I can leave, I came in my own car—"
"No, of course not. Stay. Just because what happened yesterday was...unorthodox of us doesn't mean we can't still be friends." Grace explained quietly.
Grace waited for his answer and when she didn't get one, she turned to him. He looked like he wanted to say something. She could see it in his eyes. But he looked away when laughter erupted from the kitchen.
***
2300 ZULU
Mrs. Stiles was the backbone of the dinner conversation. She wouldn't allow a moment of silence and filled it with anything and everything. At the moment, she was trying to get to the punch line of her joke. Unfortunately, Mrs. Stiles wasn't very talented in delivering good jokes, because she was usually either the only one that understood it, or it really just wasn't very funny. The latter was typical.
"...And so, the Rabbi said, 'Of course I can't! Not without my yarmulke!' " The poor woman burst out laughing as if she'd told a joke worthy enough to be laughed at...
After a second or two of silence, everyone chimed in with forced laughter, which quickly died down. After another minute of silence, Mrs. Stiles started in again.
"So, Harm, is Sergei going to be your best man?"
Harm leaned forward in the chair, crossing his hands on the table. "He would have been, but he's training for a new position in Russia. Plus is own wedding is being planned. So it'll be Lt. Roberts."
"Aw, and what about you, Mac? Your maid of honor...?"
Mac glanced over at Grace. She, Harm, and Grace knew she wouldn't be here for the wedding. "Grace will have that honor." She said quietly.
The girl looked down at her lap. Mrs. Stiles instantly detected the seriousness thicken in the room, and she clearly couldn't figure out why.
Harm changed the subject and directed his attention to Eric. "So, I hear you're going to spook school next year—" Harm stopped when he caught Grace's expression. She shook her head and cut her hand under her chin, motioning for him to stop right there. But it was too late.
Eric sighed. "Guess so."
Mr. Stiles nodded. "He'll be a third generation agent for the CIA," the man then looked his son in the eye, "He should be proud."
Eric clearly wanted to rebuke that remark, and you could see him trying to restrain himself. Mrs. Stiles could feel the tension in the room now more than ever and she nervously bit a nail. Mac kept her head lowered. Grace had told her everything about Eric's anger toward his parents, principally his father, for forcing him into the family business. So though she knew all this, she hadn't said anything to Harm, and he was clueless about the situation.
Harm's eyes flickered back and forth from Mr. Stiles to Eric. "...Why wouldn't he be proud?"
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, and Eric chuckled dryly, glancing over at Harm. "You wanna know why? Because I didn't have a say it in. I didn't have any choice! Because apparently, my life has to be decided by somebody else!"
The happiness that poured from Mrs. Stiles a moment ago had completely washed away. "Eric this is neither the time nor the place to discuss this."
"No, Mom, just ask Grace, she completely agrees with me!"
All eyes were suddenly on Grace and the girl turned her head to Eric, her eyes crazed. Eric pointed at his parents. "Go ahead, tell them what you told me!"
Grace was speechless. She couldn't believe he was putting her on the spot like this. Eric shook his head.
"Fine, I'll do it! Grace told me that I have a choice too! That you can't make me go! That doctors are just as important as CIA agents! And you know what, I agree with her!"
"Damn it, Eric, we've already discussed this," Mr. Stiles said through clenched teeth, "and the answer's final!" Mr. Stiles then turned his attention to Grace, "And judging by this young woman's recent actions, I don't want you listening to anything she says."
Harm narrowed his eyes. "Whoa, whoa, if you're referring to the 'actions' I think you are, you should know that they were fully carried out by your son!"
Grace mouth formed an, "O" and she whipped around to her mother. "You told him?!"
Mac tried to stutter a response when Eric lightly shoved Grace's shoulder. "You told her?!"
Grace scoffed. "She is my—" Grace caught herself, "practically my mother, of course I told her!"
Mr. Stiles stood, glaring at Harm. "How dare you accuse my son of coming on to your—your—whatever she is to you!"
Mrs. Stiles gasped. "Michael! Show some courtesy!"
Mac scoffed. "He hasn't shown any yet, why start now?"
That was it. The entire room was in a verbal brawl. Harm against Mr. Stiles. Mrs. Stiles against Mac. And Grace against Eric. It was enough to put that cat, Merlin, into a coma as he dashed out of the room.
Grace wasn't sure how long it lasted. She was going back and forth with Eric about how her family, or part of it, had a right to know what was going on in her life. Eric shot back that it wasn't any of their business.
"Then how did your father know about it?!" Grace replied angrily.
Eric threw his hands in the air. "He's with the CIA, how the hell should I know!"
Grace rolled her eyes. "Oh, right, like I'm gonna believe that! You can't blame all your problems on him you know!"
Eric's face fumed with anger and he glanced around the room at all the once-had-been friends who were fighting to no end. He suddenly slammed his fist on the table. "SHUT UP!"
Everyone stopped and turned their heads to the young man. "Jus—just shut up!"
With that, Eric pushed his chair away from the table and stormed out of the dining room. A few seconds later, the front door opened, then slammed shut. Everybody flinched. The awkward silence that followed was enough for Mrs. Stiles to speak up.
"...Well...I think we better leave now."
Mr. Stiles stomped quickly out of the dining room, stopping to take his coat from the living room. Mrs. Stiles nodded at Harm and Mac.
"I'm sorry this happened," Mrs. Stiles turned around at the archway leading into the foyer. She obviously wanted to say something else, but shook her head and sighed. "Have a good evening."
When they all heard the front door close, Mac picked up the bowl of spaghetti. "Bitch." She mumbled as she went into the kitchen.
Harm bit his lip and glanced over at Grace, who sat motionless in her chair. "You okay?" He murmured.
Grace turned her head slightly in his direction, but didn't look at him. "I dunno. Is losing your best friend okay?"
Harm didn't answer, because he didn't have to. So he let her continue.
"I'd hoped to leave this place with everything...right. Even though it won't make a difference in the future."
"I know." Harm concurred.
Making a sharp sigh, Grace stood, taking her plate. She stopped a moment and finally locked gazes with her father. "I'm kind of glad nothing here will take affect. I've screwed up enough of this place."
With that, she took her and Eric's plate into the kitchen.
***
2130 ZULU
JAG HQ
Falls Church, Virginia
Friday, October 29th
Grace stood in the entrance to the bullpen, just watching everyone. Harriet had just buzzed by. Bud was on her heels pleading with her about something. Gunny was trying to reason with someone on the phone and was speaking in rapid Spanish. Sturgis was in his office practicing a closing argument. Tiner followed Coates around the bullpen as she complained about her friend's boyfriend. The office was just as it should be. Even fifteen years from this point, the atmosphere was the same. Just different, or older, people occupied it. Grace stepped towards them. She ran into Tiner and Coates first. They each gave her a smile.
"Going trick-or-treating Sunday?" Tiner joked.
Grace grinned. "Cute, Tiner."
Coates frowned. "It's not so funny. I went trick-or-treating right up until I finished high school!"
Tiner turned his neck to her. "No way...I did too!"
Grace smiled at the two as they made yet another comparison between each other. Grace was glad she didn't intervene too much in those two's lives. They turned out just fine, finally falling in love and eventually marrying. Though having enough money was a constant problem for them for a while, they got through it. Grace was proud of them.
Leaving those two to fall even more head-over-heels for each other, Grace almost ran right into Harriet and Bud. Grace smiled at the very-pregnant Harriet.
"He'll be wonderful." Grace murmured.
Harriet and Bud exchanged glanced. "Or she." Harriet said hopefully.
Grace nodded. "Sure."
After Jimmy, they would end up having another daughter and then a final son.
As Grace passed Sturgis's office, he waved her in.
"Grace, just the lady I wanted to see. I could use an audience, do you mind?"
Grace looked towards the admiral's office, her main goal. "Would like to, Sturgis, but I can't. Call Bobbi?"
Sturgis put the index cards down on his desk and reached for the phone. "Not a bad idea."
Grace nodded. Sturgis and Bobbi's relationship was rocky at first, being that they were so alike. But the two found ways to compromise, which taught them both a lot about marriage.
As Grace passed Gunny's desk, she watched him sadly as he continued to speak Spanish over the phone. Victor Galindez would eventually become an officer, but wouldn't live long enough for his career to sparkle as it would have. He was killed defending his family at his home from a burglar when Grace was twelve.
As she passed his desk, she strolled into the front office and knocked on the admiral's door. She heard an, "Enter" from inside, and she opened the door. The admiral sat with his head bent over his work, reading documents. Grace sighed ruefully. This was the last time she would talk to AJ when he was completely in control of his mind.
AJ lifted his head, giving a double take when he saw her. "Grace, good I need to talk to you."
Grace sat in one of the leather chairs and let him speak first.
"Did you know our office received four calls from Daniel Harden this afternoon?"
Grace cringed. "Four? Well, that's less than last week..."
AJ took off his spectacles, narrowing his little eyes. "Just how the hell did he get the number here anyway?"
Grace shrugged. "Who knows."
AJ sighed, putting his glasses back on. "Was there something you wanted?" He asked, only half paying attention to her now that his attention was refocused on his documents.
Grace lowered her eyes to the floor. Now that she knew she couldn't harm them, she decided to just tell the truth. "I came to say goodbye."
AJ eyes flicked to her and he lifted his head all the way. "All right...see you on Monday."
He went right back to those documents. Grace looked away. Of course he wouldn't understand, so Grace continued.
"You've taught me everything I should know about life, AJ. The good and the bad of it. And you still do, you just...say the same things over again." Grace added solemnly, referring to his future Alzheimer's. AJ just stared at her, bewildered. Grace stood and walked out of the office, knowing if she stayed here any longer, she wouldn't want to leave.
***
Yeah, see ya'll next week. I know I've said this before, but I really do promise you the conclusion will be next week. And if it isn't, you can all flame me ;D.
~sancti