Title : Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. Update on 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' – the program is aired on PAX TV – and I still hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Author's Notes 1 & 2 : See Default Chapter
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Thanks go to Ninjaturtle, Starryeyes10, Another Tracy, Jtbwriter, Alicia5, CapriceAnn, Melissa, DD2, Cbw, Lisa Brown and Steven Pennie for their reviews so far. I hope you'll all stay with me for the rest of the story. For reviewers I miss out between postings, my apologies, and I'll be sure to add you to my 'thanks' list for the next chapters!
Steven – Thanks for your info on the Blackberry! Much appreciated!
Jtbwriter – No problem with your French, I think like that, too!
Lisa – Hope this chapter answers your questions! Re making decisions, I'm a Libran, we're notorious for weighing up pros and cons before we decide anything! It can take forever! :)
CapriceAnn – Not sure about the times for STFBE, but there is a website with more info – I think it's www.paxtv.com, but don't quote me on that! (If that doesn't work, I found it by typing PAX TV into Google.)
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Mac's Apartment – Georgetown – Washington DC – early morning, Thursday
It was over. Sadiq lay as he fell, straight out, eyes staring, dead. The bullet that killed him leaving nothing but a hole in his forehead. A sniper's perfect kill.
Earlier in the evening when Harm had called Jack he had been taking the stairs down to the street level as fast as he safely could, wishing they were as narrow as those shipboard so he could slide down the rails and make the journey quicker. With no wasted words he simply stated that Sue was at Mac's, and Sadiq was there. They were to meet up at the Georgetown building ASAP. Jack in turn told Harm about Sue's call, and her request. Now, at the sound of Jack's 'go' in his headpiece Harm had kicked at the door as the window shattered with the high velocity bullet. At the sound of the louder gun-shot, his stomach dropped as he pushed into the room and saw Mac on the ground, Sue bent over her.
Both of the sniper bullets had found their intended target. Sadiq's impaired shot had found Mac, but in his rage he had jerked the gun and the bullet had only grazed her arm. Sue had moved the detonator out of reach before leaning over Mac as the apartment door came crashing back on its hinges and Harm barrelled in, his service gun at the ready in his hand.
Sue helped Mac get to her feet, with her right hand holding her left arm where the bullet had nicked her skin. As Harm entered the apartment Mac didn't even look down to where Sadiq lay. With a muted cry of 'Harm' she went straight to him, falling against him as he put out his arm to hold her, and Harm looked in question at Sue as she managed a lop-sided grin.
"Hey, glad you could join us. Sarah's arm is bleeding, but it's only a graze."
"You, Sue, are something else!" Harm returned her grin and put his hand out to her, holding tight in unspoken thanks that both of them were safe. Sue moved closer and put her arms around the pair of them, tears showing in her eyes and running down her cheeks, as she held on tight.
"Oh, Sue, what you did took guts. Leaving your cell-phone open like that, so Jack… where is Jack, anyway?" Mac lifted her head from Harm's shoulder and looked around in query. Sue looked at Harm as well.
"I'm here…" Jack spoke up as he walked into the apartment and closed what was left of the door behind him. A couple of residents had come out of their apartments to see what the noise was as Harm had kicked open Mac's door, and Jack opened his badge and muttered 'official business' as he passed them. It would probably have had more to do with the serious-looking sniper rifle in his left hand that had them scurrying back into their respective apartments! Sue managed a watery smile as she looked at Harm and Mac and then turned to cross the room and walk straight into Jack's open arms. "Hey, lady, how're you?"
"Better now." Sue murmured from the crook of his neck and squeezed her arms around his waist. With a sudden thought she turned to point down at Sadiq's body. "He still has the bomb fastened to him. I… I just moved the detonator out of the way."
"I called Bobby. He's got the disposal crew downstairs right now. I'll call them up." Dropping a kiss on the crown of Sue's head he lifted his hand to his headset and pressed the send button, summoning Bobby. As they waited Mac moved out of Harm's tight hold and walked over to Jack and Sue. Without a word she gave them both a tight hug, much the same as Sue had previously, and then as she drew back she looked straight at Jack.
"You shot Sadiq."
"It had to be done. That's what I do." Jack acknowledged his ability simply.
"And you," Mac turned an equally watery smile on Sue as she had bestowed on Mac. With the two women hugging each other, Jack and Harm exchanged a nod and a smile. Working together they had saved the lives of the people most precious to each of them. Mac put her hand up to Sue's cheek and touched the graze gently. "I think we could both do with a trip to the emergency room down the street, and then a warm drink and a wind-down at Harm's place. I don't think I want to come back here tonight."
"Jack?" Sue turned to look at the man stood behind her, and he nodded then added, "If you want to, my place is closer. There's a spare room. You can bunk down there for a while and then move out when you need to." Harm and Mac both nodded without any hesitation. Jack smiled, and then continued. "Sue, you need to call Luce. I rang her a while back, but she needs to know you're okay." As Sue nodded there was a knocking at the door and Harm moved to pull it open, letting Bobby and a bomb-disposal team into the room.
"All yours, guys, and Bobby, I have a favor to ask." Jack looked from Sadiq's prone body and back to his colleague.
"Ask away, mate."
"Harm and I are going to take Mac and Sue down to the local emergency room, and then on to my place. Get rid of the body, and we'll deal with the details tomorrow. Could you work out a temporary repair for this place as well? Mac will be back round tomorrow to sort it out properly."
"Consider it done."
"Thanks, Bobby." Jack added, and handed over his sniper rifle. "Would you hang on to this for me as well. It's cleared with Garrett. I'll return it tomorrow, but I don't think the ER staff would be too happy to have me running around the room waving it at them."
"I'd agree with you there, Jack. No problem. Sue, you going to be okay?" Sue had turned back from using her cell-phone to call Lucy, and smiled at Bobby before giving him a quick hug.
"I'll be fine, Bobby, thanks. It's been a long night."
"Yeah, I guess it has. Lucy said you'd just gone out to the corner store. When you didn't return right away she rang Jack. What happened?"
"Sadiq was waiting in the lobby. He must have got in using someone else's call button," Sue explained, stopping as Jack turned away to talk to the bomb-disposal team. When he turned back to her his face was somber.
"He had enough on him to blow this whole apartment block. A new type of explosive, needs less volume but causes a bigger blast than the same amount of Semtex. I can't believe how close you came…" Jack faltered, and Sue raised her hand to his face, not caring that Bobby saw the feelings she had for Jack out in the open.
"I'm okay. We're okay, thanks to you and Harm." Sue spoke softly, and then turned to Harm and Mac. "Can we go now? I really need to sit down somewhere and know that I don't have to move for at least a week!"
"On our way," said Harm, leading Mac out of the door, followed by Jack and Sue.
Jack's Apartment – Somewhere in Washington DC – early morning, Thursday
Mac yawned and put her hand up to her mouth. Glancing up at Harm seated behind her she grinned sleepily. "Time for bed, Sailor. We've only got three hours and seventeen minutes before we're due at work." Jack quirked an eyebrow at that comment but said nothing.
Harm replied to Mac's statement, moving to sit them both up ready for getting off the sofa. "I think the Admiral will allow us an extra couple of hours under the circumstances. I'll call him later and explain. I would imagine he will want to meet with all of us to hear the whole story." As he said this Harm smiled across at Jack, and Sue who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "I forgot that Sue's only just out of hospital. What she's gone through tonight would have most people on their knees."
Jack nodded in reply and then spoke softly. "There's a lot about Sue that I still don't know, but I told her once that she made people's lives better for knowing her, and mine is no exception. I've only known her a short time really, but now I have a hard time remembering that we weren't always together."
"I will agree with that," Mac added. "I feel as though we've been friends forever. There's something more with Sue, though, and I don't know how to put it into words."
"I don't think you can, Mac; it's just enough to know she's in our lives."
"Yeah, I like that…" Mac yawned again, and then got to her feet, Harm doing the same. Jack was about to move too but the pair of them shooed him back down. "Stay there, Jack. Don't disturb Sue yet. If we leave before you're awake, we'll call later and let you know what's happening. Harm can call Gibbs and tell him Sadiq's off the map."
"Okay, later…" Jack settled back against the sofa as Mac and Harm disappeared down the corridor to the guest room. In the room they stripped down to their underclothes and climbed under the comforter. Settling back spoon-fashion, and on her right side, protecting the dressing on her left arm, Mac snuggled back into Harm's embrace, turning slightly for his soft kiss, and whispered 'love you's'.
JAG Headquarters – Falls Church – Virginia – 1500 Hours, Friday
In the conference room Admiral Chegwidden sat at the head of the table, and around him sat his two senior officers, Harm and Mac; Sue, Jack and Bobby from the FBI offices; Gibbs and DiNozzo from NCIS; and Petty Officer Coates taking minutes of the meeting.
"Thank you all for being here. This is not a usual occurrence, the gathering of so many diverse agencies at one time, but it is a sign of co-operation that has been lacking in the past, and I would hope that it shows an understanding that even when working on separate cases said agencies can pool resources and work together well. I, for one, congratulate you all on a job well done," at this the Admiral glanced across the table at Gibbs, who tipped his head slightly in acknowledgement. "For another, the SECNAV approved the end result of this assignment, albeit unconventional but he has come to understand that anything that involves the Colonel and the Commander rarely follows convention." Harm and Mac grinned in response. Secretary Sheffield rarely involved himself in the running of JAG, knowing it was in good hands with Admiral Chegwidden, and his rare comments were generally in favor of the team's actions. "The Assistant Director of the FBI has also spoken to me, and his praise, albeit reserved, is well deserved. Miss Thomas, you are certainly an asset to the team you are part of, but as with all teams, yours is the sum of all your parts. I do hope you'll continue to work as well as you have done, and so does the Assistant Director."
"Thank you, Admiral," Sue acknowledged politely, and smiled at both Jack and Bobby as they nodded in response.
"Well, we now know we are in possession of the arms that Sadiq was attempting to obtain, and that the cell he had are all in detention. Even those that managed to leave the country have been apprehended, courtesy of the CIA. So, a fitting end to all of this would, I believe, be a toast to all here, and that can only be undertaken at McMurphy's. We shall adjourn to that location, and the first round is on me."
There were murmurs of thanks around the table as all rose to their feet and preceded the Admiral out of the room. Gibbs hung back, waiting to walk out with Chegwidden.
"Mr DiNozzo and I have to decline this invitation, Admiral, but I look forward to being consulted again in future. You're right, it did work well. Much better than the last time I paid a visit to your offices."
"I'll agree with you there, Gibbs, and so, I'm sure, would Commander Rabb."
Gibbs' smile was fleeting, but it was there, and he walked away from the Admiral to join DiNozzo at the elevators.
Mac and Harm were back in their respective offices, collecting their briefcases and covers, and met up as they left the bullpen. They had agreed to meet Sue, Bobby and Jack downstairs in the parking lot. Walking towards the elevators Mac was aware that Harm's mind was on something else at that moment.
"What is it, Harm?"
"When the Admiral mentioned the CIA, I remembered something you said, about letting Webb know about Sadiq. Did you manage to speak to him?"
"No. He's been out of the country." Mac stopped and turned, putting her hand out to make Harm look at her. "Harm, it's over. Not that it really started between Webb and I, but it is over. I love you, and more, I'm in love with you. Nothing is going to change that now."
As the elevator door opened and they stepped inside, Harm pressed the button to close the door and leaned in to kiss Mac at the same time, knowing it was definitely against regulations, but unable to resist the moment, and unaware that the door hadn't quite closed in time.
The trio walking towards the elevator at the same time were open-mouthed in surprise. The Admiral recovered first. Bud took a little longer.
"Mouths shut, people, we saw nothing. Lieutenant Sims, if you would call the elevator for us?"
"Yes, sir. Of course, sir." Harriet obeyed immediately, but as she stepped forward to call another car her face was wreathed in a knowing smile.
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To be continued
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. Update on 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' – the program is aired on PAX TV – and I still hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Author's Notes 1 & 2 : See Default Chapter
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Thanks go to Ninjaturtle, Starryeyes10, Another Tracy, Jtbwriter, Alicia5, CapriceAnn, Melissa, DD2, Cbw, Lisa Brown and Steven Pennie for their reviews so far. I hope you'll all stay with me for the rest of the story. For reviewers I miss out between postings, my apologies, and I'll be sure to add you to my 'thanks' list for the next chapters!
Steven – Thanks for your info on the Blackberry! Much appreciated!
Jtbwriter – No problem with your French, I think like that, too!
Lisa – Hope this chapter answers your questions! Re making decisions, I'm a Libran, we're notorious for weighing up pros and cons before we decide anything! It can take forever! :)
CapriceAnn – Not sure about the times for STFBE, but there is a website with more info – I think it's www.paxtv.com, but don't quote me on that! (If that doesn't work, I found it by typing PAX TV into Google.)
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Mac's Apartment – Georgetown – Washington DC – early morning, Thursday
It was over. Sadiq lay as he fell, straight out, eyes staring, dead. The bullet that killed him leaving nothing but a hole in his forehead. A sniper's perfect kill.
Earlier in the evening when Harm had called Jack he had been taking the stairs down to the street level as fast as he safely could, wishing they were as narrow as those shipboard so he could slide down the rails and make the journey quicker. With no wasted words he simply stated that Sue was at Mac's, and Sadiq was there. They were to meet up at the Georgetown building ASAP. Jack in turn told Harm about Sue's call, and her request. Now, at the sound of Jack's 'go' in his headpiece Harm had kicked at the door as the window shattered with the high velocity bullet. At the sound of the louder gun-shot, his stomach dropped as he pushed into the room and saw Mac on the ground, Sue bent over her.
Both of the sniper bullets had found their intended target. Sadiq's impaired shot had found Mac, but in his rage he had jerked the gun and the bullet had only grazed her arm. Sue had moved the detonator out of reach before leaning over Mac as the apartment door came crashing back on its hinges and Harm barrelled in, his service gun at the ready in his hand.
Sue helped Mac get to her feet, with her right hand holding her left arm where the bullet had nicked her skin. As Harm entered the apartment Mac didn't even look down to where Sadiq lay. With a muted cry of 'Harm' she went straight to him, falling against him as he put out his arm to hold her, and Harm looked in question at Sue as she managed a lop-sided grin.
"Hey, glad you could join us. Sarah's arm is bleeding, but it's only a graze."
"You, Sue, are something else!" Harm returned her grin and put his hand out to her, holding tight in unspoken thanks that both of them were safe. Sue moved closer and put her arms around the pair of them, tears showing in her eyes and running down her cheeks, as she held on tight.
"Oh, Sue, what you did took guts. Leaving your cell-phone open like that, so Jack… where is Jack, anyway?" Mac lifted her head from Harm's shoulder and looked around in query. Sue looked at Harm as well.
"I'm here…" Jack spoke up as he walked into the apartment and closed what was left of the door behind him. A couple of residents had come out of their apartments to see what the noise was as Harm had kicked open Mac's door, and Jack opened his badge and muttered 'official business' as he passed them. It would probably have had more to do with the serious-looking sniper rifle in his left hand that had them scurrying back into their respective apartments! Sue managed a watery smile as she looked at Harm and Mac and then turned to cross the room and walk straight into Jack's open arms. "Hey, lady, how're you?"
"Better now." Sue murmured from the crook of his neck and squeezed her arms around his waist. With a sudden thought she turned to point down at Sadiq's body. "He still has the bomb fastened to him. I… I just moved the detonator out of the way."
"I called Bobby. He's got the disposal crew downstairs right now. I'll call them up." Dropping a kiss on the crown of Sue's head he lifted his hand to his headset and pressed the send button, summoning Bobby. As they waited Mac moved out of Harm's tight hold and walked over to Jack and Sue. Without a word she gave them both a tight hug, much the same as Sue had previously, and then as she drew back she looked straight at Jack.
"You shot Sadiq."
"It had to be done. That's what I do." Jack acknowledged his ability simply.
"And you," Mac turned an equally watery smile on Sue as she had bestowed on Mac. With the two women hugging each other, Jack and Harm exchanged a nod and a smile. Working together they had saved the lives of the people most precious to each of them. Mac put her hand up to Sue's cheek and touched the graze gently. "I think we could both do with a trip to the emergency room down the street, and then a warm drink and a wind-down at Harm's place. I don't think I want to come back here tonight."
"Jack?" Sue turned to look at the man stood behind her, and he nodded then added, "If you want to, my place is closer. There's a spare room. You can bunk down there for a while and then move out when you need to." Harm and Mac both nodded without any hesitation. Jack smiled, and then continued. "Sue, you need to call Luce. I rang her a while back, but she needs to know you're okay." As Sue nodded there was a knocking at the door and Harm moved to pull it open, letting Bobby and a bomb-disposal team into the room.
"All yours, guys, and Bobby, I have a favor to ask." Jack looked from Sadiq's prone body and back to his colleague.
"Ask away, mate."
"Harm and I are going to take Mac and Sue down to the local emergency room, and then on to my place. Get rid of the body, and we'll deal with the details tomorrow. Could you work out a temporary repair for this place as well? Mac will be back round tomorrow to sort it out properly."
"Consider it done."
"Thanks, Bobby." Jack added, and handed over his sniper rifle. "Would you hang on to this for me as well. It's cleared with Garrett. I'll return it tomorrow, but I don't think the ER staff would be too happy to have me running around the room waving it at them."
"I'd agree with you there, Jack. No problem. Sue, you going to be okay?" Sue had turned back from using her cell-phone to call Lucy, and smiled at Bobby before giving him a quick hug.
"I'll be fine, Bobby, thanks. It's been a long night."
"Yeah, I guess it has. Lucy said you'd just gone out to the corner store. When you didn't return right away she rang Jack. What happened?"
"Sadiq was waiting in the lobby. He must have got in using someone else's call button," Sue explained, stopping as Jack turned away to talk to the bomb-disposal team. When he turned back to her his face was somber.
"He had enough on him to blow this whole apartment block. A new type of explosive, needs less volume but causes a bigger blast than the same amount of Semtex. I can't believe how close you came…" Jack faltered, and Sue raised her hand to his face, not caring that Bobby saw the feelings she had for Jack out in the open.
"I'm okay. We're okay, thanks to you and Harm." Sue spoke softly, and then turned to Harm and Mac. "Can we go now? I really need to sit down somewhere and know that I don't have to move for at least a week!"
"On our way," said Harm, leading Mac out of the door, followed by Jack and Sue.
Jack's Apartment – Somewhere in Washington DC – early morning, Thursday
Mac yawned and put her hand up to her mouth. Glancing up at Harm seated behind her she grinned sleepily. "Time for bed, Sailor. We've only got three hours and seventeen minutes before we're due at work." Jack quirked an eyebrow at that comment but said nothing.
Harm replied to Mac's statement, moving to sit them both up ready for getting off the sofa. "I think the Admiral will allow us an extra couple of hours under the circumstances. I'll call him later and explain. I would imagine he will want to meet with all of us to hear the whole story." As he said this Harm smiled across at Jack, and Sue who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "I forgot that Sue's only just out of hospital. What she's gone through tonight would have most people on their knees."
Jack nodded in reply and then spoke softly. "There's a lot about Sue that I still don't know, but I told her once that she made people's lives better for knowing her, and mine is no exception. I've only known her a short time really, but now I have a hard time remembering that we weren't always together."
"I will agree with that," Mac added. "I feel as though we've been friends forever. There's something more with Sue, though, and I don't know how to put it into words."
"I don't think you can, Mac; it's just enough to know she's in our lives."
"Yeah, I like that…" Mac yawned again, and then got to her feet, Harm doing the same. Jack was about to move too but the pair of them shooed him back down. "Stay there, Jack. Don't disturb Sue yet. If we leave before you're awake, we'll call later and let you know what's happening. Harm can call Gibbs and tell him Sadiq's off the map."
"Okay, later…" Jack settled back against the sofa as Mac and Harm disappeared down the corridor to the guest room. In the room they stripped down to their underclothes and climbed under the comforter. Settling back spoon-fashion, and on her right side, protecting the dressing on her left arm, Mac snuggled back into Harm's embrace, turning slightly for his soft kiss, and whispered 'love you's'.
JAG Headquarters – Falls Church – Virginia – 1500 Hours, Friday
In the conference room Admiral Chegwidden sat at the head of the table, and around him sat his two senior officers, Harm and Mac; Sue, Jack and Bobby from the FBI offices; Gibbs and DiNozzo from NCIS; and Petty Officer Coates taking minutes of the meeting.
"Thank you all for being here. This is not a usual occurrence, the gathering of so many diverse agencies at one time, but it is a sign of co-operation that has been lacking in the past, and I would hope that it shows an understanding that even when working on separate cases said agencies can pool resources and work together well. I, for one, congratulate you all on a job well done," at this the Admiral glanced across the table at Gibbs, who tipped his head slightly in acknowledgement. "For another, the SECNAV approved the end result of this assignment, albeit unconventional but he has come to understand that anything that involves the Colonel and the Commander rarely follows convention." Harm and Mac grinned in response. Secretary Sheffield rarely involved himself in the running of JAG, knowing it was in good hands with Admiral Chegwidden, and his rare comments were generally in favor of the team's actions. "The Assistant Director of the FBI has also spoken to me, and his praise, albeit reserved, is well deserved. Miss Thomas, you are certainly an asset to the team you are part of, but as with all teams, yours is the sum of all your parts. I do hope you'll continue to work as well as you have done, and so does the Assistant Director."
"Thank you, Admiral," Sue acknowledged politely, and smiled at both Jack and Bobby as they nodded in response.
"Well, we now know we are in possession of the arms that Sadiq was attempting to obtain, and that the cell he had are all in detention. Even those that managed to leave the country have been apprehended, courtesy of the CIA. So, a fitting end to all of this would, I believe, be a toast to all here, and that can only be undertaken at McMurphy's. We shall adjourn to that location, and the first round is on me."
There were murmurs of thanks around the table as all rose to their feet and preceded the Admiral out of the room. Gibbs hung back, waiting to walk out with Chegwidden.
"Mr DiNozzo and I have to decline this invitation, Admiral, but I look forward to being consulted again in future. You're right, it did work well. Much better than the last time I paid a visit to your offices."
"I'll agree with you there, Gibbs, and so, I'm sure, would Commander Rabb."
Gibbs' smile was fleeting, but it was there, and he walked away from the Admiral to join DiNozzo at the elevators.
Mac and Harm were back in their respective offices, collecting their briefcases and covers, and met up as they left the bullpen. They had agreed to meet Sue, Bobby and Jack downstairs in the parking lot. Walking towards the elevators Mac was aware that Harm's mind was on something else at that moment.
"What is it, Harm?"
"When the Admiral mentioned the CIA, I remembered something you said, about letting Webb know about Sadiq. Did you manage to speak to him?"
"No. He's been out of the country." Mac stopped and turned, putting her hand out to make Harm look at her. "Harm, it's over. Not that it really started between Webb and I, but it is over. I love you, and more, I'm in love with you. Nothing is going to change that now."
As the elevator door opened and they stepped inside, Harm pressed the button to close the door and leaned in to kiss Mac at the same time, knowing it was definitely against regulations, but unable to resist the moment, and unaware that the door hadn't quite closed in time.
The trio walking towards the elevator at the same time were open-mouthed in surprise. The Admiral recovered first. Bud took a little longer.
"Mouths shut, people, we saw nothing. Lieutenant Sims, if you would call the elevator for us?"
"Yes, sir. Of course, sir." Harriet obeyed immediately, but as she stepped forward to call another car her face was wreathed in a knowing smile.
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To be continued
