Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I 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
Thanks go to cbw; jtbwriter; beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10 and kirsten for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
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OUTSIDE SUE'S APARTMENT
WASHINGTON DC
SUNDAY EVENING
As they stood waving Harm's SUV off, Jack was quiet, thinking about the day he and Sue had shared with their friends. He knew he wanted to be with Sue for as long as they would be blessed to be together. He believed that Sue wanted the same thing. As he looked down at the blonde head nestled on his shoulder, he felt tears burn at his eyelids – life couldn't really be this good without payback, could it? At that moment Sue lifted her head and looked at him. In that instant he knew, he could have it all, and he would have it all, as long as he had Sue. Her smile was instantaneous, and he signed that he loved her. Sue signed back, and then reached up to kiss him. It started out as a light kiss, but the immediate spark between them flared up and passion took over. As they parted for air Sue laughed softly.
"What?" asked Jack, smiling at her.
"I know it's really late, and we both have work tomorrow, and you haven't been home yet, but…" Sue didn't quite have the courage to put into spoken words what she wanted, so she whispered in Jack's ear.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm sure," she murmured, nodding her head.
Jack dropped a quick kiss on her lips, and then took Sue's hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze as they entered the apartment building, making their way in silence to Sue's apartment.
Levi trotted through the apartment door and found his familiar spot in the kitchen/diner area. Sue waited while Jack locked the door and then turned to face her. At her sudden, shy smile he took hold of her hands and brought them up to his lips.
"We take this at your pace. Just know that I do love you, I do want to be with you for more than just this moment, and I do want you right now."
"I want you, Jack," Sue spoke softly. "I want you to love me, to make love with me…"
"Ah, Sue…!" Jack bent his head and took Sue's lips in a kiss that stole her breath, and made her knees weaken. As he felt her body loosen, Jack bent to pick her up and carry her down the passage to her bedroom. Without breaking the kiss, he placed her on the bed.
Much later Jack woke up, at first confused and then amazed to find Sue's blonde hair spread across his chest as she slept in his arms. Grinning widely he put his head back against the pillow and let out a low whistle.
"What are you so pleased about?" asked Sue a moment later, looking up from her perch on his chest and smiling at him. "I could feel your breathing change," she added, for an explanation of how she had known he was awake.
"I was just thinking how lucky I am to be with you, and honored to know that this was the first …"
"My mother put me on the pill when I was a teenager. I was told it was to regulate my periods, but I later found out it was to stop me getting pregnant if someone…" Sue stopped, looking away from Jack. He put a finger under her chin and made her look at him again.
"If someone took advantage of you?" he guessed, and Sue nodded, her lip trembling miserably until Jack leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently. "I should thank your mother someday. If it weren't for her we would have had to wait for what we've just shared."
Sue laughed at that. At the point of consummating their new relationship, Jack had groaned that he didn't have any protection for her. Sue had shaken her head and told him she was on the pill. Given that information, and knowing that Sue had been seeing someone for a while, he was stunned to find the resistance in her body when they came together.
'Jack, whatever else you do in this life, don't stop now!' Sue had muttered hoarsely, and Jack had smiled at her before they made their union complete.
Smiling at a thought, Sue dipped her head on Jack's chest, and he touched her shoulder, making her look up at him.
"What is it?" he asked, releasing a breath when he realised she wasn't upset.
"I was just thinking that earlier on this morning you said we'd have to talk about what was happening between us; I guess we've gone past the 'talking' stage."
"Yup, I guess we have," he agreed softly, watching her face, loving how her expression changed from thoughtful to downright seductive. "Sue…?"
"I was just wondering then, seeing as we communicate so well without words now, if you wouldn't mind showing me… again."
Jack grinned and slid down on the bed so his face was level with Sue's. As he closed the gap between their mouths, she saw his mouth form the words 'With pleasure…'.
ADMIRAL'S CONFERENCE ROOM
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH
VIRGINIA
0900 HOURS LOCAL – MONDAY
Harm and Mac were seated opposite each other at the table. Bud was seated next to Mac, with Sturgis next to Harm, and Harriet seated next to Sturgis. Jennifer Coates arrived just ahead of the Admiral, and when Chegwidden entered the room all six officers were on their feet and standing to attention.
"As you were, people," he called out, and took a seat at the head of the table.
"We have the Winston court-martial coming up. The case of the Marine Colonel charged with fraternisation." Mac glanced up from her file and met Harm's eyes across the table. Neither officer made any outward sign of discomfort, but Chegwidden hid a smile as he realised the content of this case could raise temperatures a little on home territory, namely in the JAG office. "Colonel, you are on the bench for this one. Roberts, you will prosecute, and Turner, you will defend. Any questions?"
All three named officers spoke at once, and Harm sat in his seat, unsure whether to speak or not, considering his name had not been mentioned for any assignment. He knew that his pending qualification hiatus precluded any long-standing assignments, but normally he would be given some work in the week leading up to his departure.
"Colonel, you first." Chegwidden was aware of Harm's silence, but chose to ignore it for the moment.
"Sir, I appreciate the assignment to the Judiciary at this time, but surely my presence as a fellow Marine officer could prejudice the case?"
"Don't you think you could preside as a fair and unbiased judge in this case?"
"Of course I could, sir. That is not the point, though, sir. It would be unfair to the court for my presence to be held to ransom in favor of either party."
"Very good point, Colonel. Very well, you will prosecute Colonel Winston, and Roberts will defend. Commanders Rabb and Turner, my office, if you please. Dismissed."
"Aye, sir!" As the Admiral moved away from the table, followed by Sturgis, Mac caught hold of Harm's sleeve. The look that passed between them was one of question and reassurance in the same moment. Jennifer and Harriet caught the gesture and smiled to themselves. Harriet understood a little better than Jennifer that such non-verbal communication was something learned between people who had spent a good part of their lives together, such as married couples, and lovers. It had been missing from the relationship between Harm and Mac for quite a while, but now it was back, and quite forcefully at that!
"Now, Commander!" Chegwidden's voice could be heard clearly, and Harm gave Mac an apologetic smile and left the conference room.
As Mac picked up her legal pad and files, about to put them in her briefcase, Jennifer came up to her.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes, Petty Officer?"
"I need to ask a favor, ma'am, for Mattie."
"For Mattie? Does Harm know about this?"
"It's more of a woman's thing, ma'am. He might not understand."
"I won't lie to the Commander, Coates. If it involves something I believe he should know, I will tell him."
"Yes, ma'am. Understood. I just thought you might like to know that Mattie has asked me about my being on the pill, ma'am. Not saying that she wants to go on it herself, exactly, but I get the impression she's thinking about it. In this day and age, given date rape and muggings, it's no longer a simple choice of having a child or not. Sometimes the decision can be taken away from a person without their consent."
"That's very true," Mac acknowledged, and accepting of the fact that Mattie had discussed things with Jennifer as a person more in her league than Mac, perhaps. Besides, it did seem as though Mattie was only sounding Jennifer out on her personal preferences, knowing that Jennifer's usage came from her military involvement, and the pre-requisite of birth control. "Thank you for telling me, Jen. I'll keep it to myself for now, and try to sound out Mattie before I say anything to Harm. Will that be all right with you?"
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you. If Mattie mentions anything more, I'll let you know."
"I'd appreciate that. We both know Mattie is a sensible young woman, and so I'm sure she's being practical in thinking about this." Suddenly a thought occurred to Mac. "Jen, has Mattie mentioned anything about entering the Naval Academy?"
Jennifer laughed. "Only every day, ma'am. It's her main goal right now, to follow in the Commander's footsteps, so to speak. Is there something I should know, ma'am?"
"I… I'm not sure," Mac replied cautiously. "Mattie had a meeting with her father yesterday and it didn't go so well. Mr Johnson intimated something about getting Mattie back early somehow, and she wanted Harm to make enquiries about early entry into the Academy. If she's aware that it's a pre-req to use birth control, she may be wanting to be prepared."
"That would fit in with her questions, ma'am."
"Okay, leave it with me, and I'll make enquiries and get round to the topic with Mattie. Maybe Sue can help me. If I bring it up and ask your help, she might get suspicious."
"As you see fit, ma'am. I just thought you should know."
"Thanks again." Mac acknowledged, and both women left the conference room, with Mac throwing a glance at the Admiral's closed office door as Jennifer returned to her desk in the outer office.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I 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
Thanks go to cbw; jtbwriter; beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10 and kirsten for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUTSIDE SUE'S APARTMENT
WASHINGTON DC
SUNDAY EVENING
As they stood waving Harm's SUV off, Jack was quiet, thinking about the day he and Sue had shared with their friends. He knew he wanted to be with Sue for as long as they would be blessed to be together. He believed that Sue wanted the same thing. As he looked down at the blonde head nestled on his shoulder, he felt tears burn at his eyelids – life couldn't really be this good without payback, could it? At that moment Sue lifted her head and looked at him. In that instant he knew, he could have it all, and he would have it all, as long as he had Sue. Her smile was instantaneous, and he signed that he loved her. Sue signed back, and then reached up to kiss him. It started out as a light kiss, but the immediate spark between them flared up and passion took over. As they parted for air Sue laughed softly.
"What?" asked Jack, smiling at her.
"I know it's really late, and we both have work tomorrow, and you haven't been home yet, but…" Sue didn't quite have the courage to put into spoken words what she wanted, so she whispered in Jack's ear.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm sure," she murmured, nodding her head.
Jack dropped a quick kiss on her lips, and then took Sue's hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze as they entered the apartment building, making their way in silence to Sue's apartment.
Levi trotted through the apartment door and found his familiar spot in the kitchen/diner area. Sue waited while Jack locked the door and then turned to face her. At her sudden, shy smile he took hold of her hands and brought them up to his lips.
"We take this at your pace. Just know that I do love you, I do want to be with you for more than just this moment, and I do want you right now."
"I want you, Jack," Sue spoke softly. "I want you to love me, to make love with me…"
"Ah, Sue…!" Jack bent his head and took Sue's lips in a kiss that stole her breath, and made her knees weaken. As he felt her body loosen, Jack bent to pick her up and carry her down the passage to her bedroom. Without breaking the kiss, he placed her on the bed.
Much later Jack woke up, at first confused and then amazed to find Sue's blonde hair spread across his chest as she slept in his arms. Grinning widely he put his head back against the pillow and let out a low whistle.
"What are you so pleased about?" asked Sue a moment later, looking up from her perch on his chest and smiling at him. "I could feel your breathing change," she added, for an explanation of how she had known he was awake.
"I was just thinking how lucky I am to be with you, and honored to know that this was the first …"
"My mother put me on the pill when I was a teenager. I was told it was to regulate my periods, but I later found out it was to stop me getting pregnant if someone…" Sue stopped, looking away from Jack. He put a finger under her chin and made her look at him again.
"If someone took advantage of you?" he guessed, and Sue nodded, her lip trembling miserably until Jack leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently. "I should thank your mother someday. If it weren't for her we would have had to wait for what we've just shared."
Sue laughed at that. At the point of consummating their new relationship, Jack had groaned that he didn't have any protection for her. Sue had shaken her head and told him she was on the pill. Given that information, and knowing that Sue had been seeing someone for a while, he was stunned to find the resistance in her body when they came together.
'Jack, whatever else you do in this life, don't stop now!' Sue had muttered hoarsely, and Jack had smiled at her before they made their union complete.
Smiling at a thought, Sue dipped her head on Jack's chest, and he touched her shoulder, making her look up at him.
"What is it?" he asked, releasing a breath when he realised she wasn't upset.
"I was just thinking that earlier on this morning you said we'd have to talk about what was happening between us; I guess we've gone past the 'talking' stage."
"Yup, I guess we have," he agreed softly, watching her face, loving how her expression changed from thoughtful to downright seductive. "Sue…?"
"I was just wondering then, seeing as we communicate so well without words now, if you wouldn't mind showing me… again."
Jack grinned and slid down on the bed so his face was level with Sue's. As he closed the gap between their mouths, she saw his mouth form the words 'With pleasure…'.
ADMIRAL'S CONFERENCE ROOM
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH
VIRGINIA
0900 HOURS LOCAL – MONDAY
Harm and Mac were seated opposite each other at the table. Bud was seated next to Mac, with Sturgis next to Harm, and Harriet seated next to Sturgis. Jennifer Coates arrived just ahead of the Admiral, and when Chegwidden entered the room all six officers were on their feet and standing to attention.
"As you were, people," he called out, and took a seat at the head of the table.
"We have the Winston court-martial coming up. The case of the Marine Colonel charged with fraternisation." Mac glanced up from her file and met Harm's eyes across the table. Neither officer made any outward sign of discomfort, but Chegwidden hid a smile as he realised the content of this case could raise temperatures a little on home territory, namely in the JAG office. "Colonel, you are on the bench for this one. Roberts, you will prosecute, and Turner, you will defend. Any questions?"
All three named officers spoke at once, and Harm sat in his seat, unsure whether to speak or not, considering his name had not been mentioned for any assignment. He knew that his pending qualification hiatus precluded any long-standing assignments, but normally he would be given some work in the week leading up to his departure.
"Colonel, you first." Chegwidden was aware of Harm's silence, but chose to ignore it for the moment.
"Sir, I appreciate the assignment to the Judiciary at this time, but surely my presence as a fellow Marine officer could prejudice the case?"
"Don't you think you could preside as a fair and unbiased judge in this case?"
"Of course I could, sir. That is not the point, though, sir. It would be unfair to the court for my presence to be held to ransom in favor of either party."
"Very good point, Colonel. Very well, you will prosecute Colonel Winston, and Roberts will defend. Commanders Rabb and Turner, my office, if you please. Dismissed."
"Aye, sir!" As the Admiral moved away from the table, followed by Sturgis, Mac caught hold of Harm's sleeve. The look that passed between them was one of question and reassurance in the same moment. Jennifer and Harriet caught the gesture and smiled to themselves. Harriet understood a little better than Jennifer that such non-verbal communication was something learned between people who had spent a good part of their lives together, such as married couples, and lovers. It had been missing from the relationship between Harm and Mac for quite a while, but now it was back, and quite forcefully at that!
"Now, Commander!" Chegwidden's voice could be heard clearly, and Harm gave Mac an apologetic smile and left the conference room.
As Mac picked up her legal pad and files, about to put them in her briefcase, Jennifer came up to her.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes, Petty Officer?"
"I need to ask a favor, ma'am, for Mattie."
"For Mattie? Does Harm know about this?"
"It's more of a woman's thing, ma'am. He might not understand."
"I won't lie to the Commander, Coates. If it involves something I believe he should know, I will tell him."
"Yes, ma'am. Understood. I just thought you might like to know that Mattie has asked me about my being on the pill, ma'am. Not saying that she wants to go on it herself, exactly, but I get the impression she's thinking about it. In this day and age, given date rape and muggings, it's no longer a simple choice of having a child or not. Sometimes the decision can be taken away from a person without their consent."
"That's very true," Mac acknowledged, and accepting of the fact that Mattie had discussed things with Jennifer as a person more in her league than Mac, perhaps. Besides, it did seem as though Mattie was only sounding Jennifer out on her personal preferences, knowing that Jennifer's usage came from her military involvement, and the pre-requisite of birth control. "Thank you for telling me, Jen. I'll keep it to myself for now, and try to sound out Mattie before I say anything to Harm. Will that be all right with you?"
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you. If Mattie mentions anything more, I'll let you know."
"I'd appreciate that. We both know Mattie is a sensible young woman, and so I'm sure she's being practical in thinking about this." Suddenly a thought occurred to Mac. "Jen, has Mattie mentioned anything about entering the Naval Academy?"
Jennifer laughed. "Only every day, ma'am. It's her main goal right now, to follow in the Commander's footsteps, so to speak. Is there something I should know, ma'am?"
"I… I'm not sure," Mac replied cautiously. "Mattie had a meeting with her father yesterday and it didn't go so well. Mr Johnson intimated something about getting Mattie back early somehow, and she wanted Harm to make enquiries about early entry into the Academy. If she's aware that it's a pre-req to use birth control, she may be wanting to be prepared."
"That would fit in with her questions, ma'am."
"Okay, leave it with me, and I'll make enquiries and get round to the topic with Mattie. Maybe Sue can help me. If I bring it up and ask your help, she might get suspicious."
"As you see fit, ma'am. I just thought you should know."
"Thanks again." Mac acknowledged, and both women left the conference room, with Mac throwing a glance at the Admiral's closed office door as Jennifer returned to her desk in the outer office.
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To be continued
