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. (Here's the disclaimer for NCIS, as above...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, pineapplehead, rosa, manda, rinkrat, bard2003, laura carr, tj, sahc, kstorm, arian04, deb, lisa brown, smithknk, cmaf, cj, manda may, dd2, firedevil, youngest knight, soleil2, guitarvixen and anaika skywalker for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
lisa brown Hello. Happy to 'see' you again! Harm's going to be over the moon - I'm just deciding how he's going to tell Mac that! Or show her! It's scary how some of you readers out there seem to know just what I'm thinking! Danger is Harm and Mac's middle name - so of course, I have to include it! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
anna7 I'll keep the updates coming, you keep trying to get them! Between the two of us, it'll work out! :o) Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
alicia5 Harm to the rescue! You'll just have to keep reading to see how! Thanks for your support, too!
skyefire Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
nikki Thanks for your comment on Glennan. It seemed right to bring him back into the mix when I did. Stay tuned to read what happens! Thanks also for your support, and please keep reading!
abigaile Harm is Harm! Of course he's going to be fine! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
starryeyes10 Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter Hiya! A bit more on Jack and Mac for you, and I guess I did okay with Sue and Jack too! I do like writing their part in this. Carson wasn't really a 'bad' guy - but watch out for Glennan! Still hoping for good news on the job front, pinkies crossed and all, but you've got to find a job with internet access!!! :0) Stay tuned for for more. Thanks as always!
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NAVAL HOSPITAL
BETHESDA
MARYLAND
THURSDAY MORNING
"Colonel, I...I didn't try to kill myself...I wouldn't..."
"It's okay, I know," Mac smiled down at the man on the bed. Carson had regained consciousness earlier and his first words had been for Mac. 'It wasn't me...'
"What happens now, ma'am?"
"I have some good news for you, and some better news. When you were brought in last night, I called a friend of mine. You may remember him, from the meeting at JAG. Jack Hudson, from..."
"The FBI," Carson nodded. His voice was still weak, but his words were coherent.
"Under the circumstances, the witness protection program is available to you. If you decide to take the deal, you will be removed from the hospital to recuperate elsewhere. As far as the records go here, you will have 'died' from your injuries, not having regained consciousness, and your life as Lieutenant Commander Carson dies with you."
"And it gets better?" Carson managed to show the humor in his voice, even as his eyes clouded over. He knew that this meant never seeing his family again, on either continent.
"Admiral Chegwidden has agreed against the court martial, but your military record will show that charges were to be filed for DDO and going UA. Given that you are now technically 'dead', that's as far as his actions go."
"Thank you, ma'am. At least I won't have to keep looking over my shoulder."
""That's true. There is one more thing, Commander."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You will get to stay in the Navy. How does Naval Intelligence sound?"
"Sounds good, ma'am. That must have taken some pretty hefty string pulling."
"It did, but that's all you need to know. Okay, I'm going to leave now. Good luck, Commander."
"Thank you again, ma'am. For everything."
"You're welcome." Mac turned and walked out of the room, and Jack met her at the door, Myles Leland and Demetrius Gans standing with him.
"He's ready," she murmured, and Jack smiled in response.
"Myles and D will take over now. I'm going to get you home, to Harm's, then Bobby will give me a ride from there. No arguments," Jack raised a hand as Mac opened her mouth, and then she closed it again and nodded, smiling at him.
"Yes, sir," she acquiesced, and Jack couldn't hide the laughter. "What?" asked Mac, curious at his reaction.
"Harm was right," Jack mused, shaking his head.
"About what?"
"You really are a pussycat under that Marine Green."
"Shoot, my secret is out!" Mac snapped her fingers, and then grinned sleepily. "Time to go, Mr Hudson, or you're going to have to carry me up to Harm's, and at my current size, and growing, your life could be in danger."
"I'd risk it, Mac. Friends like you don't come around every day, and I like having you and Harm as my friends."
"S'good. We like having you and Sue as our friends too..." Mac tried to hide a yawn behind her hand and failed miserably.
"Here we go," Jack motioned to Mac to get into the passenger seat of her Corvette, which she did without protest. Closing the door on her he went around to the driver's side and slid into the seat.
"You're honored, you know," Mac murmured, her eyes closed as she spoke.
"How's that?" Jack answered, glancing across and smiling as he saw Mac was almost asleep.
"You're only the second man to drive this car. Harm, of course, and now you..."
"Then I 'am' honored," Jack intoned seriously, and Mac smiled.
"You're so full of it, Hudson..." she murmured, and then she was asleep. Jack put the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot, heading for Union Station, and Harm's apartment.
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
THURSDAY MID-MORNING
Mac woke up on the bed in Harm's apartment to the sound of knocking on the door. Getting to her feet, and wiping the sleep from her eyes, she made her way to the door and checked through the peephole.
"Admiral! Good morning, sir...I'm...I...sorry, sir. I forgot to call in..."
"That's okay, Mac. Jack Hudson rang to say he'd left you here so his colleague could give him a ride back to his place. I don't think I want to know why his colleague was here, so I'll leave that part alone. Now, I just wanted to check that you were really okay. It's been a long night for you, and you have Mattie's hearing tomorrow. Do you think you'll be able to manage?"
"I believe so, sir...AJ..." Mac corrected herself, opening the door wider for Chegwidden to enter the apartment, and then walking across to the kitchen island to make a start on some coffee. "Carson has been 'put to rest', so to speak. I told Captain Johnson about Glennan, but I haven't checked back on that yet. I wanted to go and speak to the judge ahead of the hearing tomorrow, as you suggested. I'm hoping I can get in to see her later today." Mac trailed off, and her eyes drifted shut. Chegwidden put his hand out and touched her arm.
"Have you been in touch with Harm yet?"
"No. Captain Johnson said he'd left with Dunstan, trying to evade Webb. I haven't heard anything else."
"I'm sure he's okay, Mac."
"I hope so," Mac answered, and then managed to smile at her commanding officer. "Coffee, AJ?"
"I thought you'd never ask!"
The telephone rang as Mac was putting the coffee into the machine, and she picked up the kitchen handset as she worked, cradling it between her ear and her shoulder. When she squealed with surprise, the telephone nearly dropped, and Chegwidden made a grab for the bag of coffee as Mac clutched at the handset.
"Harm!"
Chegwidden grinned, and slipped off the stool as Mac wiped away the tears that had come immediately to her eyes. Waving at her to call him as soon as she could, he made his way to the door of the apartment and left. Coffee forgotten as Mac spoke to Harm, he grinned as he closed the door behind him. There would be another time to share a coffee, and all being well, Harm would be there too.
"Hi, beautiful! What are you doing home, anyway? Are you ill?"
"No...long story...I'll tell you later...where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart, honestly. I'm at an airfield in Italy, trying to keep one step ahead of Webb. I'll be back as soon as we get a good night's sleep, and refuelled. Tell the Admiral thanks, when you see him..."
"He just left, Harm. What do you mean? He knows where you are?"
"Not exactly. I rang Francesca for help, and she gave me the name of a private airfield. I couldn't land the Tomcat at the regular airbase, Webb would have had his goons all over it before we touched down. You've got to love the Italians, Mac, they fly like they drive! All over the place! Raised a few eyebrows when I dropped the 'cat on the runway though!"
"I'll bet it did!" Mac groaned. Harm! in a Tomcat! Again! "It's going to raise more than the Admiral's eyebrows when he finds out his daughter helped you! Webb is on his way back here, with Glennan."
"Glennan? What happened?"
"Too much to say right now. Harm, will you be back for tomorrow?"
"I'll do my best, but I'm not sure...why?"
"Tom Johnson has charged me with fraternization," Mac stopped as Harm swore. When he'd finished, she continued. "He contacted Family Services too, and the court date was pushed up to tomorrow. I'm hoping the judge will allow me to represent you. I'm going to speak to her later today about Mattie's emancipation request, too. I just wish you could be here for this...so much has happened, Harm, and I don't know..."
"Hey, it's going to be okay, Mac. I'll try and get out ASAP."
"No!" Mac almost yelled into the receiver. Taking a deep breath she calmed herself enough to talk again, albeit her voice sounding husky with more tears threatening. "I don't want you flying before you're ready, Harm. Promise me, you won't leave until you've had a proper rest."
"I promise, Sarah." Harm's voice came over the line as a soft, reassuring tone, and Mac breathed a sigh of relief. His promise was all she needed to hear.
"Okay...okay," Mac laughed through her tears. "There's a lot gone on while you've been out of touch, flyboy."
"You've not been getting into trouble have you, marine?"
"Oh, I'm already in trouble! A certain sailor charmed me into his bed, and now he's got more than he bargained for...!"
There was a groan at Harm's end of the line, and Mac grinned.
"This isn't exactly a private call, Mac. Dunstan's in the room and breathing down my neck."
"Oops!" Mac murmured, and then added softly, "Then I guess I'd better not tell you what I'm planning to do to you when I get your six back in bed with me!"
"Sarah..." Harm bit back on an expletive as Dunstan came back into the room, having taken a shower. "I have to go. The sooner I sleep, the sooner I get back. It's harder than you think," he added cryptically, but Mac knew exactly what he was talking about.
"I don't doubt that for a minute, sailor. I seem to have that effect on you!"
"I'll see you sometime tomorrow."
"Promise?"
"Always."
"I love you, Harm," Mac murmured, the tears starting to flow again.
"I love you, too, Sarah," Harm replied softly, not caring if Dunstan heard, or what he thought.
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To be continued
A/N :
1. Francesca is the daughter of AJ Chegwidden. I've heard of her in reviews, but never seen the episode/s she was in.
2. My apologies in advance to any Italian readers/reviewers - I know it's just hearsay about Italian drivers, but hey! When your country puts out such beautiful cars as Ferrari, you're entitled! It raises my adrenaline just thinking about getting behind the wheel of one of those babies! ;o)
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. (Here's the disclaimer for NCIS, as above...I'll leave it in for the rest of the story; makes life easier when I need to 'borrow' Gibbs and his team!)
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4, carol, eliv.thade, alicia5, fragmentpieces, kesh, claysmvl, chicmns, skyefire, tammy-jet, abigaile, kjflygirl87, anna7, nikki, jbird7986, angelab, pineapplehead, rosa, manda, rinkrat, bard2003, laura carr, tj, sahc, kstorm, arian04, deb, lisa brown, smithknk, cmaf, cj, manda may, dd2, firedevil, youngest knight, soleil2, guitarvixen and anaika skywalker for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
Replies to previous chapter reviews :
lisa brown Hello. Happy to 'see' you again! Harm's going to be over the moon - I'm just deciding how he's going to tell Mac that! Or show her! It's scary how some of you readers out there seem to know just what I'm thinking! Danger is Harm and Mac's middle name - so of course, I have to include it! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
anna7 I'll keep the updates coming, you keep trying to get them! Between the two of us, it'll work out! :o) Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
alicia5 Harm to the rescue! You'll just have to keep reading to see how! Thanks for your support, too!
skyefire Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
nikki Thanks for your comment on Glennan. It seemed right to bring him back into the mix when I did. Stay tuned to read what happens! Thanks also for your support, and please keep reading!
abigaile Harm is Harm! Of course he's going to be fine! Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
starryeyes10 Thanks for your support, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter Hiya! A bit more on Jack and Mac for you, and I guess I did okay with Sue and Jack too! I do like writing their part in this. Carson wasn't really a 'bad' guy - but watch out for Glennan! Still hoping for good news on the job front, pinkies crossed and all, but you've got to find a job with internet access!!! :0) Stay tuned for for more. Thanks as always!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAVAL HOSPITAL
BETHESDA
MARYLAND
THURSDAY MORNING
"Colonel, I...I didn't try to kill myself...I wouldn't..."
"It's okay, I know," Mac smiled down at the man on the bed. Carson had regained consciousness earlier and his first words had been for Mac. 'It wasn't me...'
"What happens now, ma'am?"
"I have some good news for you, and some better news. When you were brought in last night, I called a friend of mine. You may remember him, from the meeting at JAG. Jack Hudson, from..."
"The FBI," Carson nodded. His voice was still weak, but his words were coherent.
"Under the circumstances, the witness protection program is available to you. If you decide to take the deal, you will be removed from the hospital to recuperate elsewhere. As far as the records go here, you will have 'died' from your injuries, not having regained consciousness, and your life as Lieutenant Commander Carson dies with you."
"And it gets better?" Carson managed to show the humor in his voice, even as his eyes clouded over. He knew that this meant never seeing his family again, on either continent.
"Admiral Chegwidden has agreed against the court martial, but your military record will show that charges were to be filed for DDO and going UA. Given that you are now technically 'dead', that's as far as his actions go."
"Thank you, ma'am. At least I won't have to keep looking over my shoulder."
""That's true. There is one more thing, Commander."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You will get to stay in the Navy. How does Naval Intelligence sound?"
"Sounds good, ma'am. That must have taken some pretty hefty string pulling."
"It did, but that's all you need to know. Okay, I'm going to leave now. Good luck, Commander."
"Thank you again, ma'am. For everything."
"You're welcome." Mac turned and walked out of the room, and Jack met her at the door, Myles Leland and Demetrius Gans standing with him.
"He's ready," she murmured, and Jack smiled in response.
"Myles and D will take over now. I'm going to get you home, to Harm's, then Bobby will give me a ride from there. No arguments," Jack raised a hand as Mac opened her mouth, and then she closed it again and nodded, smiling at him.
"Yes, sir," she acquiesced, and Jack couldn't hide the laughter. "What?" asked Mac, curious at his reaction.
"Harm was right," Jack mused, shaking his head.
"About what?"
"You really are a pussycat under that Marine Green."
"Shoot, my secret is out!" Mac snapped her fingers, and then grinned sleepily. "Time to go, Mr Hudson, or you're going to have to carry me up to Harm's, and at my current size, and growing, your life could be in danger."
"I'd risk it, Mac. Friends like you don't come around every day, and I like having you and Harm as my friends."
"S'good. We like having you and Sue as our friends too..." Mac tried to hide a yawn behind her hand and failed miserably.
"Here we go," Jack motioned to Mac to get into the passenger seat of her Corvette, which she did without protest. Closing the door on her he went around to the driver's side and slid into the seat.
"You're honored, you know," Mac murmured, her eyes closed as she spoke.
"How's that?" Jack answered, glancing across and smiling as he saw Mac was almost asleep.
"You're only the second man to drive this car. Harm, of course, and now you..."
"Then I 'am' honored," Jack intoned seriously, and Mac smiled.
"You're so full of it, Hudson..." she murmured, and then she was asleep. Jack put the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot, heading for Union Station, and Harm's apartment.
HARM'S APARTMENT
NORTH OF UNION STATION
THURSDAY MID-MORNING
Mac woke up on the bed in Harm's apartment to the sound of knocking on the door. Getting to her feet, and wiping the sleep from her eyes, she made her way to the door and checked through the peephole.
"Admiral! Good morning, sir...I'm...I...sorry, sir. I forgot to call in..."
"That's okay, Mac. Jack Hudson rang to say he'd left you here so his colleague could give him a ride back to his place. I don't think I want to know why his colleague was here, so I'll leave that part alone. Now, I just wanted to check that you were really okay. It's been a long night for you, and you have Mattie's hearing tomorrow. Do you think you'll be able to manage?"
"I believe so, sir...AJ..." Mac corrected herself, opening the door wider for Chegwidden to enter the apartment, and then walking across to the kitchen island to make a start on some coffee. "Carson has been 'put to rest', so to speak. I told Captain Johnson about Glennan, but I haven't checked back on that yet. I wanted to go and speak to the judge ahead of the hearing tomorrow, as you suggested. I'm hoping I can get in to see her later today." Mac trailed off, and her eyes drifted shut. Chegwidden put his hand out and touched her arm.
"Have you been in touch with Harm yet?"
"No. Captain Johnson said he'd left with Dunstan, trying to evade Webb. I haven't heard anything else."
"I'm sure he's okay, Mac."
"I hope so," Mac answered, and then managed to smile at her commanding officer. "Coffee, AJ?"
"I thought you'd never ask!"
The telephone rang as Mac was putting the coffee into the machine, and she picked up the kitchen handset as she worked, cradling it between her ear and her shoulder. When she squealed with surprise, the telephone nearly dropped, and Chegwidden made a grab for the bag of coffee as Mac clutched at the handset.
"Harm!"
Chegwidden grinned, and slipped off the stool as Mac wiped away the tears that had come immediately to her eyes. Waving at her to call him as soon as she could, he made his way to the door of the apartment and left. Coffee forgotten as Mac spoke to Harm, he grinned as he closed the door behind him. There would be another time to share a coffee, and all being well, Harm would be there too.
"Hi, beautiful! What are you doing home, anyway? Are you ill?"
"No...long story...I'll tell you later...where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart, honestly. I'm at an airfield in Italy, trying to keep one step ahead of Webb. I'll be back as soon as we get a good night's sleep, and refuelled. Tell the Admiral thanks, when you see him..."
"He just left, Harm. What do you mean? He knows where you are?"
"Not exactly. I rang Francesca for help, and she gave me the name of a private airfield. I couldn't land the Tomcat at the regular airbase, Webb would have had his goons all over it before we touched down. You've got to love the Italians, Mac, they fly like they drive! All over the place! Raised a few eyebrows when I dropped the 'cat on the runway though!"
"I'll bet it did!" Mac groaned. Harm! in a Tomcat! Again! "It's going to raise more than the Admiral's eyebrows when he finds out his daughter helped you! Webb is on his way back here, with Glennan."
"Glennan? What happened?"
"Too much to say right now. Harm, will you be back for tomorrow?"
"I'll do my best, but I'm not sure...why?"
"Tom Johnson has charged me with fraternization," Mac stopped as Harm swore. When he'd finished, she continued. "He contacted Family Services too, and the court date was pushed up to tomorrow. I'm hoping the judge will allow me to represent you. I'm going to speak to her later today about Mattie's emancipation request, too. I just wish you could be here for this...so much has happened, Harm, and I don't know..."
"Hey, it's going to be okay, Mac. I'll try and get out ASAP."
"No!" Mac almost yelled into the receiver. Taking a deep breath she calmed herself enough to talk again, albeit her voice sounding husky with more tears threatening. "I don't want you flying before you're ready, Harm. Promise me, you won't leave until you've had a proper rest."
"I promise, Sarah." Harm's voice came over the line as a soft, reassuring tone, and Mac breathed a sigh of relief. His promise was all she needed to hear.
"Okay...okay," Mac laughed through her tears. "There's a lot gone on while you've been out of touch, flyboy."
"You've not been getting into trouble have you, marine?"
"Oh, I'm already in trouble! A certain sailor charmed me into his bed, and now he's got more than he bargained for...!"
There was a groan at Harm's end of the line, and Mac grinned.
"This isn't exactly a private call, Mac. Dunstan's in the room and breathing down my neck."
"Oops!" Mac murmured, and then added softly, "Then I guess I'd better not tell you what I'm planning to do to you when I get your six back in bed with me!"
"Sarah..." Harm bit back on an expletive as Dunstan came back into the room, having taken a shower. "I have to go. The sooner I sleep, the sooner I get back. It's harder than you think," he added cryptically, but Mac knew exactly what he was talking about.
"I don't doubt that for a minute, sailor. I seem to have that effect on you!"
"I'll see you sometime tomorrow."
"Promise?"
"Always."
"I love you, Harm," Mac murmured, the tears starting to flow again.
"I love you, too, Sarah," Harm replied softly, not caring if Dunstan heard, or what he thought.
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To be continued
A/N :
1. Francesca is the daughter of AJ Chegwidden. I've heard of her in reviews, but never seen the episode/s she was in.
2. My apologies in advance to any Italian readers/reviewers - I know it's just hearsay about Italian drivers, but hey! When your country puts out such beautiful cars as Ferrari, you're entitled! It raises my adrenaline just thinking about getting behind the wheel of one of those babies! ;o)