TITLE: Revealing Souls

RATING: PG-13

PAIRING: Harm/Mac

DISCALIMER: I do not own JAG or it's characters.

Author's Note: Thank you to all of the readers of this story for sticking to it, waiting patiently for all of the chapters. This chapter is the second to the last, so I'm almost finished. However, there might be a sequel. Thank you for the reviews, I have loved them. Reviews are always welcomed and encouraged! Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Trust Again

Outside conference room

United States Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

1030 EST

Mac felt her heart beating rapidly, feeling saddened by her argument with Harm. There was no real explanation as to why Harm was acting the way he was. In the past Harm has always given her opinion its due credit, knowing that much of the time she was right. They worked so well as a team because they played off each other's ideas and would often end with a conclusion that involved a little of both their separate solutions. Why they couldn't work well as a team right now Mac didn't know, but it certainly upset her greatly. With their new relationship she was sure their connection with one another would just become stronger. Never did she imagine them growing a bit apart. However, Mac reminded herself, it was one argument, a test. There was something beneath the surface of their new relationship that was eating away at both of them, and there was no way to know how long the cancer had been there. They needed to find it soon.

Mac then exited the building and barely had time to think as dozens of reporters surrounded her. Looking around quickly she saw Bobbi Latham smiling, quite pleased with the images before her. Obviously Latham felt bringing reporters would more than help the case, but Mac did not agree whatsoever. The media only complicated matters, and it was a problem that didn't need to be dealt with right now. Especially when she found herself barely able to get down the stairs as reporters shouted questions to her.

"Is it certain that the person who attacked you is the same person of the other two murders?" a woman reporter shouted, shoving the microphone in Mac's face.

Mac was about to say something when another reporter countered, "Are you at all ashamed to be a Marine because of this?"

"How does it feel to be a woman in the Marines?"

"Has this happened to you before?"

"Are there any suspects?"

"What happened when the attacker came at you?"

Mac felt the whole world begin to enclose on her. It was too much, too much to deal with right now. She didn't even know where she was going, unable to fathom existence past the reporters. It was all she could do to stay standing and walking quickly through them, though the faster she tried to walk the better they kept up. Being hounded like a rock star was not on her life long list of dreams, and if they progressed any further she didn't know what she was capable of. All that flashed through her mind was the darkened face of her attacker, identity still hidden, still haunting her as the questions fired from every direction.

"Hey!" came a shout, and suddenly she was separated from them. Breaking out of her silent reverie, she caught the scent of a familiar person, one that she would trust her life with. Harm.

He pushed Mac through the crowd a bit and got them out among them. Turning to look at them, he shouted again, "Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie will not answer any questions right now."

A male reporter shouted back angrily, "Who are you to say?"

Harm looked at him with strength in his eyes and his features. "I'm her lawyer." He then proceeded to move her further away from the reporters, though they still wanted to follow. Harm cursed at himself, realizing pushing Latham away had caused this. However, he didn't expect her to go this far with it as to bring so many of them down at once. It was a disturbance to the case and to the Marines. How Latham was able to get the reporters down here was beyond his comprehension at the moment, and all he could think of was getting Mac away from them as soon as possible.

Moving further away towards the barracks, Mac looked to Harm. Sensing her look, Harm matched it. Mac smiled warmly at him, realizing she never had to question his devotion to her. "Thank you."

Harm smiled back, giving her a wink. "I can't have the star witness get eaten alive by reporters." Indeed he couldn't. Especially when that star witness was the love of his life.

Colonel Madison's Office

United States Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

1100 EST

Colonel Madison sorely wished this case had never taken place on his base. It was definitely a distraction, an assessment made by Commander Rabb that he heartily agreed with. Not only were his Marines getting caught up in the hype of such an important case, they were also suddenly at the center of attention on TV and radio stations all across the United States of America. A United States Naval Base was one of preparation and honor, not to be confused with a circus, which the media was readily turning it into. A case that was supposed to be settled in secrecy and with the utmost respect because of it's controversial nature was now placed in front of the eyes and ears of the media waiting to make a story out of nothing. The concept made him sick. Such matters were to be solved by the Navy and the Marines, no one else.

Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie, and Bobbi Latham stood in his office, waiting for his response. Staring out the window at the Marines going through drills, he only wished his Marines haven't been too affected by all of this unneeded attention. "You're out of line, Congresswoman." He turned a bit to look at her.

Bobbi Latham just smiled. "Do you have something to hide, Colonel?"

Rabb immediately replied, tiring of the Congresswoman's antics. "Did it ever occur to you that you're infringing on an official government investigation? Distractions like this make it very difficult for the Lieutenant Colonel and I to go through with an accurate investigation having all of the Marines on the base influenced by the media. That's the reason why most cases are dealt with internally."

Bobbi Latham countered, "Well, maybe, Commander, such issues should be brought to the attention of the American public."

Mackenzie quickly retorted, "Especially if it helps your campaign, right, Congresswoman?" Mac was in no mood for this, feeling as if the case itself and the victims have been lost among political jargon as well as the personal beliefs of the supposed killer. After all of this struggle, Mac didn't feel they were any closer to finding the killer, the reason for the investigation. "The point of the investigation is to find justice, not to further your own agenda, ma'am," Mac continued.

Colonel Madison turned to face them more fully, arms crossed over his chest. It was too much for him to hope that he only had snap his fingers and all of this would be gone. The media's involvement complicated things, and with all of the power behind his rank, there wasn't a lot to do except solve the case. And solve it quickly. "It's time to end this. I have had my share of JAG lawyers, media, Congresswomen. I want this over, and quickly."

Bobbi Latham nodded. "I couldn't agree more, Colonel. Isn't it up to Mac to tell us who attacked her?" Her eyes turned to Mac, catching a worried stare. If only I could remember, Mac thought to herself.

Madison stepped to his desk and sat down. "I don't care how you do it, except keep the media out. I don't care what authorization you think you have, Congresswoman, but I want them out. This is my base, my Marines," he scolded, knowing he had to lay down the law. He didn't care how long she had served as representative, or what constituents she was trying to make happy. The base and its safety had to come first. The killer was still out there.

Rabb had been in deep concentration during most of the conversation. He had stayed rather quiet, half paying attention and half furthering his idea, wondering if it would work and if it was worth it. The biggest asset they had was Mac, no question. Her experience with the attacker was more important than any of them had been letting on. It was the first time their killer had failed. Having Mac as such a strong Marine, an influential officer, and an important member of JAG was also an image that no one was paying attention to. Bobbi Latham had been right from the beginning. Mac was the perfect person, had the perfect profile for this case. Above all else, Harm wanted to get this case solved for Mac. As Bobbi Latham and Madison began interjecting retorts to one another, and Mac staying relatively out of it, but having to comment now and then, Rabb interrupted abruptly, "Colonel Madison, sir."

All faces looked to him eagerly, forgetting that he had been in the room. "Commander?" Madison asked, intrigued. Harm looked briefly to Mac, who was also quite interested.

"I think there is use for the media yet," Rabb replied, smirking. All that matched him were confused faces. It was time to finish this case, Rabb thought, using all resources available to them.

Outside in United States Naval Base

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

1200 EST

The press conference began and Mac couldn't help but feel a little nervous. The last thing she had wanted to do was answer questions, but Harm's reasoning made perfect sense. Her killer, especially if Hanson is the one to be concerned about, had strong feelings about women in the Marines. Being able to kill Miller and Knight had probably been easy for him. Attempting to kill an established woman Marine officer, who had high reputation of success, would be first on his list if indeed his beliefs were important to him. Failing to kill her, a woman Marine of all people, might have angered him quite a bit. Not being seen as strong as Mac or as agile would certainly hurt his ego, and, in the end, bring the attacker out one more time. That time, Mac thought, she wouldn't fail.

The reporters were delighted that she had decided to talk to them, and were eager to ask her as many questions as possible. They stood out on the steps outside of Colonel Madison's office, the heat from the sun making it extremely difficult to think, especially, Mac thought, being in this uniform. Despite sporting her summer military attire, it would not be cool enough. The cameras were now on her, the sunlight ricocheting off the camera lens into her eyes. Indeed the spotlight was on her. "I will answer as many questions as I can," Mac replied confidently. She knew she could do this.

A woman reporter was the first to ask, "Colonel, how were able to fend off the attacker so well?"

Mac inwardly smiled, happy they were getting right to the point, where she wanted to go. "I've been a Marine for 19 years. I have been training all of my life for situations like that. Dealing with an attacker as I did is nothing compared to combat. I was able to handle him."

A man reporter immediately asked, "Do you feel personally discriminated against since becoming a Marine?"

Mac shrugged slightly, thinking before answering, "Not really. Being a Marine is my duty, its what comes first in my life." She paused then, outwardly smiling, adding mischievously, "Well, it's on the list." The reporters laughed lightly, urging her to continue. "Being a Marine is one of the most important things in my life, and I think, especially with the combat experience and training I have been in and the honors I have earned, anyone, male or female, can be a successful Marine. Maybe it was gender specific before, but today it isn't. And I feel I am only one of many examples of possible successes for women in such a world that is stereotypically seen as a world only for men."

One reporter immediately asked, absently scratching notes as fast as possible, "You don't see yourself as an exception?"

Mac immediately replied, "No, I will soon be the norm for women in the Marines." She paused and then quickly added, "That will be all, I think. Thank you." The reporters tried to push further questions onto her, but she immediately turned and walked into the building, followed closely by her lawyer, she mused, Commander Rabb. Never had she seen him smile so much. Well, Mac mused to herself, at least the most in the past few days. Expressing her emotions towards the situation had been a way to release the tension that the incident had been building inside of her, and suddenly she felt free.

Harm couldn't hide his smile. "You stormed the beach, Marine," he whispered into her ear as they returned to Madison and Latham standing a bit down the hall, both whom had been watching the telecast live on a television. They both turned towards the two walking up to them, Latham smiling widely. Certainly she was happy with the results, Harm thought to himself. There wasn't any reason for her not to be happy. Everything, so far, was going her way. The story had been discussed in front of the media, women in the Marines are now at the center of attention, and the attacker will soon be caught. However, there was one problem to this that Harm didn't approve of, yet it needed to happen. Mac was bait.

"Good job, Colonel," Latham replied, nodded with respect. Mac smiled rather rigid, the worry shadowing her face. Worry hand in hand with confidence, Harm knew. Surviving the next few hours was important, and being ready for whatever was to happen. Harm knew he couldn't be scared, remembering his own failure in having faith in Mac now that they were in a relationship. He felt a personal responsibility to ensure her safety, now even more than before because of the intimacy they shared. Knowing Mac as well as he did, he knew that she could take care of herself.

Madison suddenly broke Harm's thoughts, "You're idea is working so far, Commander." Harm only nodded, not wishing to speak further. It was like disturbing a baseball pitcher during a no-hitter effort for a game, he thought to himself. No one should say anything until everything is finished. It was better not to predict or react. "Everything is set for tonight?"

"Yes, sir," Harm replied simply. Madison then left without another word.

Latham watched him leave and then turned to Harm and Mac standing together, noticeably very close. Her mind drifted to what Harm had said, answering her question concerning his relationship with Mac as a simple "no." If that were the case, Latham thought, then she was the Queen of England. Instead of saying anything per her discovery, she offered quietly, "I'll settle the press down." Turning to Mac, she continued, "Thank you, Colonel." Mac nodded, watching the Congresswoman walk away quietly. The first time since the whole case started, Mac mused.

As Harm realized they were finally alone, he turned to Mac, seriousness overflowing in his character. "Are you sure you're up for this?"

Mac knew she couldn't get angry, understanding that Harm was just being extra careful, extra protective. She sensed she was letting it get to her, and she shouldn't. Having Harm back her up was more than she could ask for. The relationship was new for both of them, both trying to find their place, their roles. It would take time, but they needed to understand the frustrations and the search that they both were embarking on because of this relationship. "Trust me," Mac whispered, grabbing his hand. It was all she needed to say.

... To Be Continued ...

Reviews Welcome!