Author: Claire Vincent
Date: July 2004
Author's note: Sorry this took so long. Hard to find time to type these days. This is a little shorter, since I decided to post what I had for now. Sorry about typos, time ran out on me and I did not get to beta read this chapter. Hope you enjoy it, and please review it. I'd like to know if this is being read by anyone!
Disclaimer: The Clayton Webb character, and other JAG characters, belong to Donald P. Bellisario, Bellisario Productions, CBS, et al. All other characters and situations of this story belong to the author. No copying of this material is allowed without my consent. For your reading pleasure, one copy is allowed.
WEBB Odyssey
Adventures of Clayton Webb and his friends at JAG, and certain special someone.
Rating: PG-13
Classification: JAG - Story
Webb/other Romance - Adventure
Spoilers: None, written after Tangled Webb.
Chapter 9 Webb Odyssey
Into the Breach
Office of the Secretary of the Navy
Pentagon, Washington, DC
0700 hours local time
Commander Harm Rabb Jr. reported as ordered to the Sec Nav's office that Monday morning. He had no idea what his superior wanted with him this early in the morning, but whatever it was, it probably wasn't good. The efficient secretary in the outer office showed him right in to the inner office, without even announcing him. Another bad sign.
'Cmdr Rabb, Sir.' She said as she opened the door for him. Harm followed her, and came to attention. 'Cmdr Rabb, reporting as ordered Sir.'
'Thank you for coming in so early, Cmdr. Please, at ease, sit down.' The Sec Nav invited, as he came around his desk. He indicated the two chairs set apart, facing each other in the room, sitting down in one, he offered the other to Harm. Once they had settled themselves, the Sec Nav began. 'There has been an important terrorist captured in Iraq, and I need you to go over there, and watch over everything on the Navy's behalf.'
This surprised Harm a little. He had become used to the Sec Nav sending him on cases, but going to Iraq regarding a terrorist was different. 'When do I leave Sir?' he asked. 'Today, the flight leaves Andrew's at noon.' The Sec Nav informed him.
'Sir, who is this prisoner?' Harm asked.
'Mohammad Hessid. He is #9 on the US most wanted list right now. He is suspected of terrorist activities in Afghanistan and Iraq over the years. We don't know too much about him, but we want to learn more.'
'Sir, am I supposed to defend this man?' Harm asked, afraid of the answer he would get. He would do his job to the best of his abilities, but defending a terrorist would be one of the hardest things Harm had ever done.
'No, no.' the Sec Nav assured him. 'I want someone there as my eyes and ears. He is being held in a Marine run prison there, and I want to be sure everything is done for this prisoner by the book. The new rules are very strict for how prisoners are to be treaded by US forces, and I want my representative there to be sure he is handled in accordance to the new rules. I do not want any slip ups, no improprieties, no questionable handling of this prisoner of any kind. Do I make myself clear, Cmdr?'
'What if I see some "improprieties" or bending of the rules?' Harm asked carefully.
'I trust you to do what is right, Cmdr. We need to bring this man to trial, but we also need to obtain information from him. He and this case, must be handled very carefully. The administration does not need any more bad press about how prisoners, or how their cases are handled in our court system, or by our armed forces. As long as this prisoner is in the custody of the US Marines, I want my representative there watching everything that is done. That is your job. Any other questions?' The Sec Nav stood, indicating the end of the meeting.
Harm stood also. 'No Sir.'
'Thank you Cmdr. Have a safe trip, and report directly to me as often as you can.'
'Yes, Sir.' Harm said, and left the office. He didn't like telling Sarah he was leaving the country, but it couldn't be helped. He headed back to JAG to take leave of his superior there, Admiral Chegwidden, and then try and find a private place to quietly take leave of his wife.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
10:40 local time
Sara and Harriet were in the coffee room together, talking about the morning's business, and the weekend just past. They were discussing the Webb's wedding, and how beautiful it was, when they were joined by Admiral Chegwidden.
'Good morning ladies.' He said jovially.
'Good morning sir.' 'Morning Sir.' They both replied.
'So the Cmdr is on his way to Iraq for the Sec Nav, Colonel?'
'Yes, Sir, it seems so.'
'I'm sure he will be fine.' The Admiral tried to reassure her.
'Yes, Sir.' Sarah answered with half a smile. She was sure Harm would be all right also, but still didn't like it when he was serving out of the country.
To try to lighten the mood, the Admiral changed the subject. 'Do you know if the happy couple were able to get away for the honeymoon without any trouble?'
'As a matter of fact Sir,' Sarah began. 'Amy called us on Sunday night.'
'She called you on her honeymoon?' The Admiral asked surprised.
'The honeymoon had to be postponed, Sir. Saturday morning, agents came and picked Clay up to take him on assignment. It seems something happened that only he could attend to.' Sarah answered.
Both Harriet and AJ were quiet at this news, feeling surprised and sorry for the couple.
Sarah continued. 'Amy did not know how long Clay would be gone. And she had not been assigned a duty posting yet. She had wanted to wait until after the honeymoon, but now…Well, she really needs something to do.'
'Huh.' The Admiral grunted. Then he turned and left the two women standing alone in the coffee room, even more surprised by this cold reaction.
Abi Rhehad Prison
Outside Baghdad, Iraq
1418 local time
Cmdr Harmon Rabb Jr. climbed out of the Marine Humvee and walked from the sunlight into the dark shade of the entrance to the U.S. Marine prison. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light inside, he heard a voice. 'Can I help you Sir?' Harm slowly saw that the voice belonged to a Marine Gunnery Sargent, who had stopped him at a gated doorway. The sergeant was standing behind a small counter. 'I'm Cmdr Harmon Rabb, Jr. from the Sec Nav's office. I need to see the person in charge of the prisoner, Mohammed Hessid.'
The Gunnery Sargent checked some paper work on his desk. 'I'm sorry Sir. I don't have your name on my list.'
Harm had just arrived in Baghdad, and was in no mood to argue with a Marine. 'I have come from the Secertary of the Navy's office, and I am supposed to be given access to see and talk to this prisoner.'
'I am sorry Sir. You do not have clearance to be allowed inside.'
Harm's eyesight was finally adjusted to the light of the entry way, but he did not notice the shadow that was on the wall, on the other side of the gate, directly behind the Gunnery Sargent. Someone was listening to the exchange.
Harm had to get inside, and could not believe he was being held up by this sergeant. 'Who is the senior officer here? Could I possibly talk with them?'
'I'll have to ask you to step outside again sir, while I go and get the senior officer.' The sergeant answered him.
'I give you my word as an officer I will not try and walk in while you are…' Harm began, but was cut off.
'I can't do that Sir. You will have to wait outside. Those are my orders.'
Finally the shadow emerged from behind the wall where he had been listening. 'It's all right, Gunnery Sargent, I will vouch for our new visitor.'
Harm was surprised to see Clayton Webb standing in front of him. While Harm was glad to see his friend, the expression on Clay's face told him the feeling was not mutual.
Clay moved past the desk, and greeted his friend. 'Hello Harm.'
'I hadn't expected to see you here, Clay. Aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon?'
Clay looked past Harm, out to the street, squinting his eyes against the sunlight. 'No' he said tiredly. 'I'm here.' He looked back at Harm. 'What are you doing here?' he asked, knowing perfectly well the reason Harm was there.
'I'm here on the Sec Nav's orders. He wanted a representative to over see the treatment of the prisoner Hessid.'
Clay looked at Harm, 'He's being treated fine.'
Harm looked closely at his friend. Clay's short answer, and his tone was the old Clay. The one who hid things from his friends. Harm noted the unshaved beard, and dark circles. Whatever Clay was doing here, he had been working very hard at it, and the strain was beginning to show. Harm felt that he was not talking to his friend, but to a hard working CIA operative, who was set to accomplish his mission, and no one was going to stop him.
'May I see the prisoner?' Harm asked, half expecting to be turned down, Sec Nav's orders or not.
'Why? Why is the Sec Nav so interested in Mohammed Hessid?' Clay wanted to know.
'The Sec Nav wants to avoid any miss handling of the prisoner. He wants to be sure that all the new rules are being followed.' Harm explained. He knew it wasn't much of an excuse, but those were his orders.
'New rules?' Clay asked sarcastically. 'Interesting how the "new rules" set up for the handling of prisoners is effecting all of us. What happened a the other prisons had nothing to do with the Company, but we have to abide by the "new rules" now.'
Harm could hear the frustration clearly in Clay's voice. 'As long as Hessid is in the custody of US Marines, he wants to be sure everything is done by the book. Those were his exact words.' Offered Harm.
'By the book? Come and see for yourself then.' Said Clay, and he turned and entered the prison.
They walked down a dark hallway, made some turns into other dark hallways, all of them looked the same. Clay finally stopped at a large metal door with a small window near the top. 'Go ahead. Take a look at how the prisoner is being treated.' Clay offered, standing beside the door.
'He's inside?' Harm asked.
'Snug as a bug.' Replied Clay.
Harm looked inside the window. The room was not small. There was a table, two chairs, a bed with two blankets, upon which sat the prisoner. He was dark, medium build, a little skinny looking in his beige prison coveralls. He sat quietly on the bed, staring into space. Harm didn't know if Hessid knew he was being watched. There was one light, in the high ceiling, and a tray of food was on the table. The food had not been touched, even though it was mid afternoon. The room was windowless.
'Looks all right.' Harm said. 'Has he eaten anything?'
'He is fed 3 squares a day, same food we get in the mess. If he doesn't eat it, it's not my problem.' Clay answered impatiently.
Harm looked back at him, waiting for an answer to his question. Clay complied. 'He usually eats morning and evening, but he is still offered three meals a day.'
Harm looked back inside the room. 'That light ever go off?' he asked. He had reviewed the rules on the flight over, and sleep deprivation was not allowed.
'It is on 12, off 12. The switch is in a control panel down the hall. Only two marines have access, and they initial the times they turn it on and off. Want to see that too?' Clay asked sourly.
Harm ignored the bait. Something was not right here, but he couldn't put his finger on it. 'Have you talked to him? Gotten anything from him?'
Now it came out. The anger that Harm had seen in Clay, just below the service. 'How can I?' Clay started moving down the hall. Harm followed him. 'I can't conduct the kind of interrogation I need to because of the new rules!' Clay was almost shouting in his frustration. 'I have never in my life as an agent tortured anyone, but there are ways to trick people, make them just uncomfortable enough to scare them, but my hands are tied, and he knows it!' pointing down the hall towards Hessid's cell. 'I've got one of the Joint Chiefs wanting updates everyday to brief the President, I have the CIA Director breathing down my neck for results, and now I've got the Sec Nav's lachey looking over my shoulder to make sure everything is by the book!'
Harm was surprised by this tirade, and angered by Clay's name calling. 'Just hold on a minute Clay. What's going on here? What are you not telling me?'
Clay should not have gone on with his frustrations, but he couldn't stop. He tried to pull back now. 'What makes you think I'm not telling you everything?'
'You always hold out on us. At least you did before, when you had us doing your work for you. Who is this guy? Why is he so important?'
Clay gave up. Harm was his friend, he couldn't hide things from him anymore. 'He has suspected ties to al Qaida. He has been implicated in at least 2 car bombings at Marine checkpoints, causing the death of at least six Marines. We believe he is the second in command of a large dissident group operating in the north. The latest intell has this group growing in strength. If it is true, and they are growing in numbers and weapons, we need to stop them before we have an all out war on our hands.'
Harm didn't think that was all of it. 'Anything else?'
Clay looked at him straight in the eye. 'Just one more thing. Hessid is one of the men who held Amy.' Clay stopped there, let that fact sink in for Harm.
'How do you know?' the lawyer in Harm wanted proof.
'She recognized him from pictures I showed her while she was in the hospital. She confirmed Hessid and another man named Naveed Kharrat. Hessid held her down while Kharrat beat her. He held her arms out to her sides and held her up while his buddy whipped her. She was kept in a freezing room, half the time without any clothes.' Harm was visibly surprised to hear all this information. 'Yeah. I read that in the transcript of her debriefing. She couldn't even tell me that part. These two held her for days and didn't give her so much as a drink of water. And I have to go in and talk nice to him and try and find out their plans.'
Clay finished, and started walking down the hall again. Harm stopped him saying 'I'm calling Washington and have you taken off this case.'
Clay turned on his heel, and came back to face Harm. 'No you won't.'
'Yes, I will. You are too close to this investigation Clay. You shouldn't be involved.'
'I was involved the night on the hill when they blew up the truck! No one, including the Joint Chiefs, the Sec Nav, or even you my friend can take me off this case. This has been mine from the very beginning, and I am going to see it through to the end.' Clay turned and stalked down the hall.
Harm watched him go, and did not envy Clay the task he had before him. Harm trusted Clay to follow the rules, and conduct a proper investigation, and he sincerely hoped Clay could get some usable information from Hessid, for all their sakes.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
0900 hours local time
Major Amelia Webb stepped off the elevator in full uniform at the offices of JAG HQ. She looked around the floor, noting some familiar faces, but not seeing any of her friends. They must be out, maybe at court or something, Amy thought.
She made her way down the hall to the Admiral's office, presenting herself to his yeoman. As she was just about to announce her name, Petty Officer Coates did it for her. 'Major Harris!' she said with a big smile. 'Or, no, Major Webb, right?'
'Either is fine, well, it is Major Webb now, isn't it?' Amy thought aloud. This was the first time anyone had called her by her married name. She had been sort of shut up at home the past few days, unpacking her things in Clay's townhouse, no THEIR townhouse. Even if he wasn't there, it was his home.
'I'm reporting as requested by the Admiral.' Amy offered.
'He is waiting for you.' Coates said as she moved around her desk to knock on the Admiral's door.
'Enter' came the answer from inside. 'Major Webb to see you sir.'
'Come in, come in. Thank you Jennifer' The Admiral stood and directed Amy to a chair in front of his desk.
Amy accepted the offered chair, and watched the Admiral go back to his chair behind the desk. She wondered for the 100th time since his call late yesterday, what this was all about.
The Admiral did not leave her in suspense for long. 'Major it has come to my attention that you are without a duty station.'
'That is correct sir. The Office of the Adjutant General is working on finding a place for me, Sir. I wish to stay in the Washington area of course, and it seems to take some time to find an assignment for me.'
'Would you like to work here?' The Admiral asked, looking her in the eye.
Amy was taken aback, and did not reply right away.
'We have a case load that we can barely keep up with these days. I find myself in need of more attorneys and support staff. It would not be very exciting, I'll admit. But I think your security skills could come in handy on the investigations of cases. You know how to interview people, ask the right questions. It would keep you among friends, and keep in Washington. I understand you could probably use that right now.' While listing all of these points, he had looked at his desk, or across the room, anywhere but at her. Except at the last sentence, he looked at her face again, with understanding, and a clear offer of support.
Amy was so pleased, and a little flattered, that he would take such and interest. She was having trouble speaking past the lump in her throat. It was so unexpected, and she couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather serve.
The Admiral paused, watching the Major closely. She seemed to be having a hard time finding her voice, so he put a little icing on the cake, to give her a little more time to find her voice. 'We here at JAG would be honored to have you work with us, Major. You come with an outstanding record of service, to the Corps and to the country.'
'I don't know what to say, Admiral.' Amy finally said. 'I can't think of any other command I would like to serve in, Admiral. Thank you.'
'Now, it is not going to be very exciting. Paper work, and research.' He said. He wanted to be sure she understood what she was getting herself into. 'And I'm not always such a nice guy to work for. Just ask around, I bellow a lot. Expect a lot from my people.'
'I think I can handle it Admiral. And I would welcome a little less excitement in my life right now.' She said with a sad smile.
'I suppose you could.' He smiled back, understanding. 'So, it is settled. When do you want to begin?' he said, standing.
'The sooner the better, Sir.'
'Excellent. I will have Coates show you around, and get you settled. I will complete the paperwork today, and you will be all set. Welcome aboard, Major.'
Amy turned and looked him right in the face. If it had not been against protocol, and highly embarrassing for him, she would have kissed his cheek for his kindness. She settled instead for a heartfelt, 'Thank you again Sir. I appreciate this, very much.'
AJ, feeling a little uncomfortable with the sincerity in her face, and how good it made him feel to be able to help her out, fell back into old habits. 'My pleasure.' He said quietly, and then in his best Admiral ordering voice said.
'Now, get to work!'
'Aye, Aye Admiral' Amy said, coming to attention, and taking leave of his office.
Abi Rhehad Prison
Outside Baghdad, Iraq
0104 local time
They waited in the entry way of the prison. Looking out on the field that served as a landing pad. Clay and Harm looked at each other as the Marines baited the prisoner into talking, as young men will do. 'Better say goodbye to your country.
You won't ever be coming back here' and similar things, then they would laugh. Clay thought he should put a stop to it, but couldn't summon the energy.
They were waiting here until the helicopter landed in the yard. They Clay, Harm and the Marines would all move out quickly and get the prisoner on board. Harm would join him, and they would take off, ultimately going back to Washington.
Harm interrupted Clay's thoughts. 'So where are we going exactly?' he asked.
'Need to know, Harm.' Clay answered, kidding his friend, knowing this answer would really bother Harm.
'No, really. I'm on the trip, I need to know don't I?'
Clay smiled. 'No, you don't. Not until you land. Just relax. You will be back in home in a couple of days.'
'I'll be glad for that. What about you?' Harm asked Clay.
Clay was quiet a moment as he looked out again at the field, watching for signs of the chopper. 'I'll be home a few days after you.'
'That will be nice, eh?' Harm said with a sly smile, thinking of the welcome in store for Clay from his Bride. 'Amy will be glad to have you back, don't you think?'
Clay looked at him with his own sly smile. Yes, he thought. I will be glad to be back home. 'There are things to finish here, but I will be glad to go home too.'
At this point, they could faintly hear the chopper approaching. 'Get ready.' Clay told everyone.
The helicopter was descending, hovering over the ground slowly making the landing. They were to land quickly, and Harm, Clay and the Marines would escort Hessid to the chopper, put him on board, Harm would board also, then the chopper would take off again. Very simple, and very quickly.
Clay gave the signal to move out, and the small group left the shelter of the building, and made their way onto the field.
At that moment, a crash was heard to their right. A truck had driven through the fence and stopped between the group and the building they had just exited, where more Marines were inside. Men exited the truck and began shooting. Once they had all left, the truck blew up in a large, loud fire ball, effectively cutting off the group of Marines on their way to the chopper and any reinforcements that might try and help.
The Marines with the prisoner, Clay and Harm, all hit the dirt as soon as they heard the explosion. In that split second, the prisoner broke away, and ran off into the night, toward the chopper.
Everyone was shooting and yelling, but nothing could be heard over the flaming of the truck, and the noise from the chopper rudders. Marines on board were shooting at the terrorists too, but they were being attacked in greater numbers, and didn't have a chance.
The terrorists moved to the chopper, pulled out the dead and wounded Marines on board, and took the chopper themselves, Hessid having joined them inside. Their own pilot took the controls, and the chopper took off, carrying only one of the passengers it had come for.
As the chopper took off, more yelling was heard, and more shots fired, but to no avail. The terrorists had gotten way, with Hessid. Harm watched in disbelief as it disappeared over the fence and out of sight in the darkness. The truck was still burning and there were wounded and dead men all around him. As Harm was slowly getting up, he saw Clay rise, and race to the door of the building, as more people came rushing outside to help the wounded.
Sometime later, after he had helped with the chaos outside, Harm went looking for Clay. He had some explaining to do. Harm finally found Clay packing a small bag near his bunk in the barracks.
'Where have you been?' he demanded.
'I went to the Communications Center to find out how the track that chopper.' came the curt answer.
Harm was angry that Clay had just left without helping the men down there.'Marines died down there tonight, we could have used some help.'
'If I don't find where that chopper went, and soon, more Marines are going to die.' Clay yelled back.
Harm thought about the hard truth of this, and let it pass. Instead he asked calmly. 'What are you going to do?'
'Go after them.' Clay said simply, as if it was just that easy.
'Alone?'
'There are other agents and contacts out there to help. I won't be alone.'
Without really hearing his answer Harm said, 'I have my orders, Clay, I can't come with you.'
'I'm not asking you to. I have my orders too and they are very straight forward. Find these people and stop them.' Clay had finished packing his bag, and turned to leave.
Harm looked at his friend, at the determination on his face, and wondered if this would be the last time he saw him. Putting that thought aside, he said 'Can I bring home a message for Amy?'
Clay thought for a moment. What could he say, or Harm say to make this easier for her? 'She knows what I am doing. She shouldn't but she does. She understands.'
'Yes, but anything else?' Harm prompted.
Clay thought a minute of all the things he would like to say to her. How much he loved and missed her; more than he thought possible. He felt like a part of him was missing, cut off some how. But he couldn't find the words, and he didn't want to bare his heart to Harm this way. 'Tell her I'm fine. I miss her, and love her very much. But she knows all that.'
Clay moved to leave, and Harm said. 'Be careful.'
This reminded Clay of one more thing. 'I will. Can I ask you to do one favor for me?' he asked.
'Name it.'
Clay swallowed. 'If something happens to me…'
Harm interrupted him. 'Nothing is going to happen.' He said forcefully, as if issuing an order.
Clay continued as if he had not said anything. 'Promise me you will look after Amy for me.'
'I promise.' Harm said reluctantly, 'But you better not make me keep that promise, Clay.'
Clay nods his thanks to his friend, since he hates goodbyes, he turned to leave the barracks without another word.
Mrs. Porter Webb's Residence
Great Falls, VA
1843 hours local time
Amy stood up from the dinner table, opened the dining room doors, and led the small party of her friends into the living room. Everyone was talking in small groups as they moved into the spacious room, and began sitting down in small groups, to continue their conversations.
When Porter had first suggested this little 'intimate gathering' as she called it, to celebrate Amy's birthday, Amy had declined. She did not feel like celebrating anything these days. She just wanted to plow through each day, in sort of a numb state. Get up, go to work a JAG, put on a brave face there. Work hard, and loose herself in the details of filing papers, researching information for the attorneys on the computers, and generally keep herself busy, so she could not think. Then she would grab some kind of food to sustain her on her way home. Something quick, nourishing, and tasteless, then go home and sew, or watch TV, more mind numbing work, until she fell into bed, where she got some sleep, to wake up the next day and start all over.
It had been almost 2 months now since the wedding. Two months since she had last seen Clay, get in a car, and drive away from her. She thought about that a lot, and it still made her feel completely empty inside. There had been no word from Clay in all that time. No phone call, no email, no note. Only what Harm had been able to tell her since he had seen Clay at the prison that first week. She wasn't even sure if he was still…he was alive, she insisted. She should always believe that, and not think of any other possibility. Porter had been a great comfort to her. Calling to check on Amy every few days, sharing a meal together a couple times a week. Porter missed Clay too, and was worried about him, but she assured Amy that this silence was not unusual for agents when they were in the field. Amy was not sure if Porter told her this for Amy's comfort, or her own, but whatever the reason, it worked. Sometimes.
And working at JAG had been wonderful. The Admiral was right, it was not exciting work, but it helped to be with good friends everyday, friends who cared. Without being too obvious, Harm and Sarah, Bud and Harriet, even the Admiral were all watching out for her. They included her in conversations, and lunch plans, or happy hour at the near by watering hole after hours. Amy had never been much for hanging out in bars, but to just be included with activities in these peoples lives had helped make the time a little less lonely for her.
And now, here they all were, celebrating her birthday. Her friends at JAG, a few other acquaintances, and a couple friends of Porter's who Amy had met. They had finished dinner, and would have cake and coffee in the living room. Amy was enjoying the evening, everyone had been so kind and attentive. The invitation had clearly stated no gifts, at her insistence, but a few people brought little thoughtful gifts anyway. 'It wasn't a birthday without birthday presents' Sarah had told her as she handed her a smartly wrapped present. Amy appreciated the thought, and the attention, and true friendship everyone had shown her, but the evening seemed a little incomplete without Clay there. She missed him so much, loved him, and prayed for his welfare. He just had to come home soon, he just had to.
Porter was talking to the Admiral, and Amy was watching from across the room, wondering again how she did it. How she could stand this…waiting. The doorbell rang, and Amy watched as Porter looked as surprised as she was. There was not supposed to be any late arriving guests. From the corner of her eye, Amy watched Harrison move to the front hall, and answer the door. There were some men's voices, but Amy could not make out what they were saying. Jennifer Coates had come over and started talking to Amy about how beautiful the house was, and Amy tried to listen to her, as she saw Harrison enter the room, followed by two young men in dark suits.
Sarah and Harm were sitting together on the couch near the empty fireplace, when they heard the doorbell. They shared a glance, and Harm leaned over to his wife and said 'Wouldn't it be just like Clay to make a surprise entrance about now?' Sarah smiled. 'Wouldn't that be nice?' she said back to him. She watched as Harrison entered the living room followed by two young men in dark suits. Sarah could hear the slight intake of breath from her husband, as he saw them too, and wondered what has startled him. Harrison walked slowly up to Amy, and whispered discreetly in her ear. Sarah watched as Amy became very pale, and her eyes grew wide in fear. She looked at Harrison without saying a word, then looked up, and made eye contact with Porter.
Porter exchanged looks with Amy in a split second, and she too, grew very pale. Amy looked at the floor, and glanced about the room, not knowing what to do, then she took a deep breath, and whispered something back to Harrison, who then left the room, and beckoned the two men to follow him.
Sarah watched as Amy seemed unsure of what to do with her hands. She clasped, and unclasped them a few times. Then she glanced up at Sarah, who was looking intently at her, then looked away again, unable to meet her friend's eyes. Sarah became nervous, wondering what Harrison had whispered to Amy to make her react this way. Sarah looked again at Porter, who was still staring at Amy, but Amy would not look up at her mother-in-law. Sarah stood up to go to her friend, but at that moment, Amy excused herself from Jennifer, and left the room.
Sarah went over to Jennifer to find out if she overheard any of the exchange between Amy and Harrison, but Jennifer said no, she hadn't. 'Amy just said excuse me, and left, ma'am.' Sarah felt something was wrong, but did not know what exactly. She hoped it was not bad news. And then it dawned on her. If it was news about Clay, CIA agents delivered the news to the family the same way the military did; with a personal call from an official from the service. Oh, no, Sarah thought, and her heart sank.
Harrison's words kept echoing in Amy's head, 'There are two agents here who wish to speak to you Ma'am.' He had said the sentence very quietly, but she could hear the sympathy there. He knew what this meant. A cold hand seemed to have griped her shoulder at that moment, and froze the blood in her veins. 'Two agents… wish to speak to you…' Somehow she had found her voice, and told Harrison to show them into the study. She was outside the door to that room now. She couldn't breath. She would have to move her hand, grip the door knob, and open the door, and face what was on the other side. She had to face it. A little voice deep inside said, if you don't open the door, you can go on living the way you have been. Whatever news these men had would not be true if you don't talk to them now. It wasn't logical, but it seemed to make sense right now. Keep the door closed on the truth, and it would never come out. Her heart was pounding in her head. 'Get a grip Marine.' She said aloud. 'Nothing can change the truth.' Taking a breath, and putting a shaking hand on the door knob, she entered the study.
Back in the living room, when Amy had left, Porter excused herself from the Admiral and left. A quiet had fallen on the guests, and no one seemed to know what was going on. In a few moments, Harrison came back in and talked quietly to the Admiral. Then he left the room, and everyone waited for the Admiral to tell them what was going on. 'Harrison has just informed me that two CIA Agents have come to talk privately with Amy and then they will talk with Mrs. Porter Webb. We don't know what it is they wish to talk to the ladies about, but it might be best if we all quietly leave now, and leave them to their privacy.' At this everyone stood, and began collecting purses and coats to head home.
Sarah and Harm stayed behind, coming up to the Admiral. 'We were thinking we would stay, Sir. Amy may need us.' Harm said quietly. 'You are probably right. I think I will stay too. Maybe I can help making some calls or something.' The Admiral said. He didn't know what help he could offer for sure, but he wanted to stay and offer whatever help was needed. The three of them sat back down in the lovely living room, to wait.
In the study, Amy entered the room, closed the door very methodically, and turned to face the two agents, who were standing on the other side of the room. The first thing that struck Amy was that they looked so young. She thought they could barely be out of college. She would have smiled at this thought, and at the way the two men fidgeted, if she wasn't so scared.
The two agents looked at her, then glanced at each other nervously, then looked back at Amy. They both seemed unsure of how to begin. Amy wasn't sure herself how to start the conversation, one she hoped she would never have to face, and she was not aware of how it begins. Finally one of the agents cleared his throat and began with introductions. 'Ah, Mrs. Webb, my name is Agent Murphy, Danny…ah Daniel Murphy, and this is Agent Hugh Byrnes.' The other agent nodded in Amy direction, but did not say anything. Agent Murphy continued. 'Ah…Assistant Director Stillman sent us over here to talk to you.' Stillman didn't have the guts to come here and face me himself? Amy thought to herself. It made her angry, which was a better than feeling scared.
Amy was thinking this, and missed the next sentence Agent Murphy said. '…a message from your husband, Agent Webb.' He was saying.
Amy interrupted him, 'Wait, what did you say? A message from my husband?'
'Yes, ma'am.' Agent Byrnes finally found his voice. 'A few hours ago, Agent Webb left a message on a secure line about his plan and what he was doing, and where he was…'
Agent Murphy cut off his partner before he went too far, 'But all that is classified, Ma'am.'
'Oh, yes, classified' echoed Byrnes. The both looked very serious saying this. Seeing this act almost made Amy smile. 'But at the end of the message, against the rules I might add,' this comment earned him a sideways glance from Murphy, 'Agent Webb left a personal message for you.'
Amy couldn't believe it. Clay wasn't missing, or dead. He had just left a message. Relief poured through Amy like warm water. She closed her eyes, and felt the room sway. She opened her eyes again, but that didn't help, the room did sway, just a little bit. She reached out behind her for a chair, moved two steps back, and sank into it. 'I have to sit down.' She told the agents. 'You two just took 5 years off my life. Give me a minute.'
The two young agents moved closer to her, nervously. This was not the reaction they had been expecting. Mrs. Webb looked white as a sheet, and was taking deep breaths. Then Murphy realized what she had been thinking. 'Oh!' he exclaimed. 'Oh, Mrs. Webb, you thought…you thought we had come to tell you…' he looked over at his partner, who was still in the dark. Murphy brought him up to speed. 'She thought we had come here to tell her…"bad" news.' Now Byrnes said, 'Oh, no Mrs. Webb, nothing like that. Agent Webb is fine. Or was at least a couple hours ago.' Murphy gave him a dirty look at that, as if to say 'That's no help.'
Murphy began fumbling in his pocket, and pulled out a small tape recorder, the kind that is usually used for dictation. He set it on the corner of the desk. 'Here, Ma'am. The message to you is on this tape. Director Stillman just wanted us to bring it to you. This copy is yours to keep. We are sorry for any confusion, Ma'am.' Murphy thought that Mrs. Webb was looking a little better now. 'We'll just go and leave you alone to listen to it.' He nudged Byrnes, and the moved toward the door.
Amy stopped them one last time. 'Gentlemen. Today is my birthday. We were just about to have some cake. Why not stay and have a piece.'
'Thank you Mrs. Webb.' Byrnes answered surprised. 'We would love to.' And they started for the door.
'Ah, please tell Mr. Harrison, who no doubt is out in the hallway waiting, that Agent Webb is fine, and that you were delivering a message from him. Harrison will see that the news is passed around to the rest of the guests.'
'Yes, Ma'am' they answered, and left the study.
The room had stopped spinning, and Amy stood up, and moved to the tape recorder. She picked it up, and holding it, pushed the play button.
Clay's tired voice immediately came over the speaker. 'That's about it. One more thing. I don't care if is against the rules, please get a message to my wife. My wife Amy.' There was a pause here, and she heard him take a breath. His voice changed from business to personal in that breath. 'Amy. It's just good to say her name out loud. Darling I love you. I'm sorry about all this. I'm sorry it has been so long. I miss you. Be strong Amy. You are my lifeline. Knowing you are there, and love me,…It keeps me going. I think about you every day, and every night. Hang on. I will be home, and we will have our life together. I promise. I…I have to finish things here. I don't know how much longer…but know I love you, need you. Give Mother my love too. Stay close to her. I'll be home as soon as I can.' He stopped here. It sounded as if he wanted to say more, but didn't know what to say. Then his voice went back to his 'business' tone. 'That's all. Webb out.' And she heard the little click of the line being broken.
Amy hadn't realized she was crying until that moment, when she felt a tear fall on her hand, that was still holding the recorder. Her cheeks hurt from smiling, and she felt alive. More alive than she had in 2 months. If felt as if, through his voice, his hand came out and touched her, held her. She let out a little sob, both happy and sad, and rewound the tape to listen to it again.
After 3 times through, she tried her eyes, and put the recorder in the desk drawer, but kept the tape itself in her pocket. Then she left the room, to rejoin her birthday party, with a very big smile on her face.
End Chapter 9
Date: July 2004
Author's note: Sorry this took so long. Hard to find time to type these days. This is a little shorter, since I decided to post what I had for now. Sorry about typos, time ran out on me and I did not get to beta read this chapter. Hope you enjoy it, and please review it. I'd like to know if this is being read by anyone!
Disclaimer: The Clayton Webb character, and other JAG characters, belong to Donald P. Bellisario, Bellisario Productions, CBS, et al. All other characters and situations of this story belong to the author. No copying of this material is allowed without my consent. For your reading pleasure, one copy is allowed.
WEBB Odyssey
Adventures of Clayton Webb and his friends at JAG, and certain special someone.
Rating: PG-13
Classification: JAG - Story
Webb/other Romance - Adventure
Spoilers: None, written after Tangled Webb.
Chapter 9 Webb Odyssey
Into the Breach
Office of the Secretary of the Navy
Pentagon, Washington, DC
0700 hours local time
Commander Harm Rabb Jr. reported as ordered to the Sec Nav's office that Monday morning. He had no idea what his superior wanted with him this early in the morning, but whatever it was, it probably wasn't good. The efficient secretary in the outer office showed him right in to the inner office, without even announcing him. Another bad sign.
'Cmdr Rabb, Sir.' She said as she opened the door for him. Harm followed her, and came to attention. 'Cmdr Rabb, reporting as ordered Sir.'
'Thank you for coming in so early, Cmdr. Please, at ease, sit down.' The Sec Nav invited, as he came around his desk. He indicated the two chairs set apart, facing each other in the room, sitting down in one, he offered the other to Harm. Once they had settled themselves, the Sec Nav began. 'There has been an important terrorist captured in Iraq, and I need you to go over there, and watch over everything on the Navy's behalf.'
This surprised Harm a little. He had become used to the Sec Nav sending him on cases, but going to Iraq regarding a terrorist was different. 'When do I leave Sir?' he asked. 'Today, the flight leaves Andrew's at noon.' The Sec Nav informed him.
'Sir, who is this prisoner?' Harm asked.
'Mohammad Hessid. He is #9 on the US most wanted list right now. He is suspected of terrorist activities in Afghanistan and Iraq over the years. We don't know too much about him, but we want to learn more.'
'Sir, am I supposed to defend this man?' Harm asked, afraid of the answer he would get. He would do his job to the best of his abilities, but defending a terrorist would be one of the hardest things Harm had ever done.
'No, no.' the Sec Nav assured him. 'I want someone there as my eyes and ears. He is being held in a Marine run prison there, and I want to be sure everything is done for this prisoner by the book. The new rules are very strict for how prisoners are to be treaded by US forces, and I want my representative there to be sure he is handled in accordance to the new rules. I do not want any slip ups, no improprieties, no questionable handling of this prisoner of any kind. Do I make myself clear, Cmdr?'
'What if I see some "improprieties" or bending of the rules?' Harm asked carefully.
'I trust you to do what is right, Cmdr. We need to bring this man to trial, but we also need to obtain information from him. He and this case, must be handled very carefully. The administration does not need any more bad press about how prisoners, or how their cases are handled in our court system, or by our armed forces. As long as this prisoner is in the custody of the US Marines, I want my representative there watching everything that is done. That is your job. Any other questions?' The Sec Nav stood, indicating the end of the meeting.
Harm stood also. 'No Sir.'
'Thank you Cmdr. Have a safe trip, and report directly to me as often as you can.'
'Yes, Sir.' Harm said, and left the office. He didn't like telling Sarah he was leaving the country, but it couldn't be helped. He headed back to JAG to take leave of his superior there, Admiral Chegwidden, and then try and find a private place to quietly take leave of his wife.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
10:40 local time
Sara and Harriet were in the coffee room together, talking about the morning's business, and the weekend just past. They were discussing the Webb's wedding, and how beautiful it was, when they were joined by Admiral Chegwidden.
'Good morning ladies.' He said jovially.
'Good morning sir.' 'Morning Sir.' They both replied.
'So the Cmdr is on his way to Iraq for the Sec Nav, Colonel?'
'Yes, Sir, it seems so.'
'I'm sure he will be fine.' The Admiral tried to reassure her.
'Yes, Sir.' Sarah answered with half a smile. She was sure Harm would be all right also, but still didn't like it when he was serving out of the country.
To try to lighten the mood, the Admiral changed the subject. 'Do you know if the happy couple were able to get away for the honeymoon without any trouble?'
'As a matter of fact Sir,' Sarah began. 'Amy called us on Sunday night.'
'She called you on her honeymoon?' The Admiral asked surprised.
'The honeymoon had to be postponed, Sir. Saturday morning, agents came and picked Clay up to take him on assignment. It seems something happened that only he could attend to.' Sarah answered.
Both Harriet and AJ were quiet at this news, feeling surprised and sorry for the couple.
Sarah continued. 'Amy did not know how long Clay would be gone. And she had not been assigned a duty posting yet. She had wanted to wait until after the honeymoon, but now…Well, she really needs something to do.'
'Huh.' The Admiral grunted. Then he turned and left the two women standing alone in the coffee room, even more surprised by this cold reaction.
Abi Rhehad Prison
Outside Baghdad, Iraq
1418 local time
Cmdr Harmon Rabb Jr. climbed out of the Marine Humvee and walked from the sunlight into the dark shade of the entrance to the U.S. Marine prison. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light inside, he heard a voice. 'Can I help you Sir?' Harm slowly saw that the voice belonged to a Marine Gunnery Sargent, who had stopped him at a gated doorway. The sergeant was standing behind a small counter. 'I'm Cmdr Harmon Rabb, Jr. from the Sec Nav's office. I need to see the person in charge of the prisoner, Mohammed Hessid.'
The Gunnery Sargent checked some paper work on his desk. 'I'm sorry Sir. I don't have your name on my list.'
Harm had just arrived in Baghdad, and was in no mood to argue with a Marine. 'I have come from the Secertary of the Navy's office, and I am supposed to be given access to see and talk to this prisoner.'
'I am sorry Sir. You do not have clearance to be allowed inside.'
Harm's eyesight was finally adjusted to the light of the entry way, but he did not notice the shadow that was on the wall, on the other side of the gate, directly behind the Gunnery Sargent. Someone was listening to the exchange.
Harm had to get inside, and could not believe he was being held up by this sergeant. 'Who is the senior officer here? Could I possibly talk with them?'
'I'll have to ask you to step outside again sir, while I go and get the senior officer.' The sergeant answered him.
'I give you my word as an officer I will not try and walk in while you are…' Harm began, but was cut off.
'I can't do that Sir. You will have to wait outside. Those are my orders.'
Finally the shadow emerged from behind the wall where he had been listening. 'It's all right, Gunnery Sargent, I will vouch for our new visitor.'
Harm was surprised to see Clayton Webb standing in front of him. While Harm was glad to see his friend, the expression on Clay's face told him the feeling was not mutual.
Clay moved past the desk, and greeted his friend. 'Hello Harm.'
'I hadn't expected to see you here, Clay. Aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon?'
Clay looked past Harm, out to the street, squinting his eyes against the sunlight. 'No' he said tiredly. 'I'm here.' He looked back at Harm. 'What are you doing here?' he asked, knowing perfectly well the reason Harm was there.
'I'm here on the Sec Nav's orders. He wanted a representative to over see the treatment of the prisoner Hessid.'
Clay looked at Harm, 'He's being treated fine.'
Harm looked closely at his friend. Clay's short answer, and his tone was the old Clay. The one who hid things from his friends. Harm noted the unshaved beard, and dark circles. Whatever Clay was doing here, he had been working very hard at it, and the strain was beginning to show. Harm felt that he was not talking to his friend, but to a hard working CIA operative, who was set to accomplish his mission, and no one was going to stop him.
'May I see the prisoner?' Harm asked, half expecting to be turned down, Sec Nav's orders or not.
'Why? Why is the Sec Nav so interested in Mohammed Hessid?' Clay wanted to know.
'The Sec Nav wants to avoid any miss handling of the prisoner. He wants to be sure that all the new rules are being followed.' Harm explained. He knew it wasn't much of an excuse, but those were his orders.
'New rules?' Clay asked sarcastically. 'Interesting how the "new rules" set up for the handling of prisoners is effecting all of us. What happened a the other prisons had nothing to do with the Company, but we have to abide by the "new rules" now.'
Harm could hear the frustration clearly in Clay's voice. 'As long as Hessid is in the custody of US Marines, he wants to be sure everything is done by the book. Those were his exact words.' Offered Harm.
'By the book? Come and see for yourself then.' Said Clay, and he turned and entered the prison.
They walked down a dark hallway, made some turns into other dark hallways, all of them looked the same. Clay finally stopped at a large metal door with a small window near the top. 'Go ahead. Take a look at how the prisoner is being treated.' Clay offered, standing beside the door.
'He's inside?' Harm asked.
'Snug as a bug.' Replied Clay.
Harm looked inside the window. The room was not small. There was a table, two chairs, a bed with two blankets, upon which sat the prisoner. He was dark, medium build, a little skinny looking in his beige prison coveralls. He sat quietly on the bed, staring into space. Harm didn't know if Hessid knew he was being watched. There was one light, in the high ceiling, and a tray of food was on the table. The food had not been touched, even though it was mid afternoon. The room was windowless.
'Looks all right.' Harm said. 'Has he eaten anything?'
'He is fed 3 squares a day, same food we get in the mess. If he doesn't eat it, it's not my problem.' Clay answered impatiently.
Harm looked back at him, waiting for an answer to his question. Clay complied. 'He usually eats morning and evening, but he is still offered three meals a day.'
Harm looked back inside the room. 'That light ever go off?' he asked. He had reviewed the rules on the flight over, and sleep deprivation was not allowed.
'It is on 12, off 12. The switch is in a control panel down the hall. Only two marines have access, and they initial the times they turn it on and off. Want to see that too?' Clay asked sourly.
Harm ignored the bait. Something was not right here, but he couldn't put his finger on it. 'Have you talked to him? Gotten anything from him?'
Now it came out. The anger that Harm had seen in Clay, just below the service. 'How can I?' Clay started moving down the hall. Harm followed him. 'I can't conduct the kind of interrogation I need to because of the new rules!' Clay was almost shouting in his frustration. 'I have never in my life as an agent tortured anyone, but there are ways to trick people, make them just uncomfortable enough to scare them, but my hands are tied, and he knows it!' pointing down the hall towards Hessid's cell. 'I've got one of the Joint Chiefs wanting updates everyday to brief the President, I have the CIA Director breathing down my neck for results, and now I've got the Sec Nav's lachey looking over my shoulder to make sure everything is by the book!'
Harm was surprised by this tirade, and angered by Clay's name calling. 'Just hold on a minute Clay. What's going on here? What are you not telling me?'
Clay should not have gone on with his frustrations, but he couldn't stop. He tried to pull back now. 'What makes you think I'm not telling you everything?'
'You always hold out on us. At least you did before, when you had us doing your work for you. Who is this guy? Why is he so important?'
Clay gave up. Harm was his friend, he couldn't hide things from him anymore. 'He has suspected ties to al Qaida. He has been implicated in at least 2 car bombings at Marine checkpoints, causing the death of at least six Marines. We believe he is the second in command of a large dissident group operating in the north. The latest intell has this group growing in strength. If it is true, and they are growing in numbers and weapons, we need to stop them before we have an all out war on our hands.'
Harm didn't think that was all of it. 'Anything else?'
Clay looked at him straight in the eye. 'Just one more thing. Hessid is one of the men who held Amy.' Clay stopped there, let that fact sink in for Harm.
'How do you know?' the lawyer in Harm wanted proof.
'She recognized him from pictures I showed her while she was in the hospital. She confirmed Hessid and another man named Naveed Kharrat. Hessid held her down while Kharrat beat her. He held her arms out to her sides and held her up while his buddy whipped her. She was kept in a freezing room, half the time without any clothes.' Harm was visibly surprised to hear all this information. 'Yeah. I read that in the transcript of her debriefing. She couldn't even tell me that part. These two held her for days and didn't give her so much as a drink of water. And I have to go in and talk nice to him and try and find out their plans.'
Clay finished, and started walking down the hall again. Harm stopped him saying 'I'm calling Washington and have you taken off this case.'
Clay turned on his heel, and came back to face Harm. 'No you won't.'
'Yes, I will. You are too close to this investigation Clay. You shouldn't be involved.'
'I was involved the night on the hill when they blew up the truck! No one, including the Joint Chiefs, the Sec Nav, or even you my friend can take me off this case. This has been mine from the very beginning, and I am going to see it through to the end.' Clay turned and stalked down the hall.
Harm watched him go, and did not envy Clay the task he had before him. Harm trusted Clay to follow the rules, and conduct a proper investigation, and he sincerely hoped Clay could get some usable information from Hessid, for all their sakes.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
0900 hours local time
Major Amelia Webb stepped off the elevator in full uniform at the offices of JAG HQ. She looked around the floor, noting some familiar faces, but not seeing any of her friends. They must be out, maybe at court or something, Amy thought.
She made her way down the hall to the Admiral's office, presenting herself to his yeoman. As she was just about to announce her name, Petty Officer Coates did it for her. 'Major Harris!' she said with a big smile. 'Or, no, Major Webb, right?'
'Either is fine, well, it is Major Webb now, isn't it?' Amy thought aloud. This was the first time anyone had called her by her married name. She had been sort of shut up at home the past few days, unpacking her things in Clay's townhouse, no THEIR townhouse. Even if he wasn't there, it was his home.
'I'm reporting as requested by the Admiral.' Amy offered.
'He is waiting for you.' Coates said as she moved around her desk to knock on the Admiral's door.
'Enter' came the answer from inside. 'Major Webb to see you sir.'
'Come in, come in. Thank you Jennifer' The Admiral stood and directed Amy to a chair in front of his desk.
Amy accepted the offered chair, and watched the Admiral go back to his chair behind the desk. She wondered for the 100th time since his call late yesterday, what this was all about.
The Admiral did not leave her in suspense for long. 'Major it has come to my attention that you are without a duty station.'
'That is correct sir. The Office of the Adjutant General is working on finding a place for me, Sir. I wish to stay in the Washington area of course, and it seems to take some time to find an assignment for me.'
'Would you like to work here?' The Admiral asked, looking her in the eye.
Amy was taken aback, and did not reply right away.
'We have a case load that we can barely keep up with these days. I find myself in need of more attorneys and support staff. It would not be very exciting, I'll admit. But I think your security skills could come in handy on the investigations of cases. You know how to interview people, ask the right questions. It would keep you among friends, and keep in Washington. I understand you could probably use that right now.' While listing all of these points, he had looked at his desk, or across the room, anywhere but at her. Except at the last sentence, he looked at her face again, with understanding, and a clear offer of support.
Amy was so pleased, and a little flattered, that he would take such and interest. She was having trouble speaking past the lump in her throat. It was so unexpected, and she couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather serve.
The Admiral paused, watching the Major closely. She seemed to be having a hard time finding her voice, so he put a little icing on the cake, to give her a little more time to find her voice. 'We here at JAG would be honored to have you work with us, Major. You come with an outstanding record of service, to the Corps and to the country.'
'I don't know what to say, Admiral.' Amy finally said. 'I can't think of any other command I would like to serve in, Admiral. Thank you.'
'Now, it is not going to be very exciting. Paper work, and research.' He said. He wanted to be sure she understood what she was getting herself into. 'And I'm not always such a nice guy to work for. Just ask around, I bellow a lot. Expect a lot from my people.'
'I think I can handle it Admiral. And I would welcome a little less excitement in my life right now.' She said with a sad smile.
'I suppose you could.' He smiled back, understanding. 'So, it is settled. When do you want to begin?' he said, standing.
'The sooner the better, Sir.'
'Excellent. I will have Coates show you around, and get you settled. I will complete the paperwork today, and you will be all set. Welcome aboard, Major.'
Amy turned and looked him right in the face. If it had not been against protocol, and highly embarrassing for him, she would have kissed his cheek for his kindness. She settled instead for a heartfelt, 'Thank you again Sir. I appreciate this, very much.'
AJ, feeling a little uncomfortable with the sincerity in her face, and how good it made him feel to be able to help her out, fell back into old habits. 'My pleasure.' He said quietly, and then in his best Admiral ordering voice said.
'Now, get to work!'
'Aye, Aye Admiral' Amy said, coming to attention, and taking leave of his office.
Abi Rhehad Prison
Outside Baghdad, Iraq
0104 local time
They waited in the entry way of the prison. Looking out on the field that served as a landing pad. Clay and Harm looked at each other as the Marines baited the prisoner into talking, as young men will do. 'Better say goodbye to your country.
You won't ever be coming back here' and similar things, then they would laugh. Clay thought he should put a stop to it, but couldn't summon the energy.
They were waiting here until the helicopter landed in the yard. They Clay, Harm and the Marines would all move out quickly and get the prisoner on board. Harm would join him, and they would take off, ultimately going back to Washington.
Harm interrupted Clay's thoughts. 'So where are we going exactly?' he asked.
'Need to know, Harm.' Clay answered, kidding his friend, knowing this answer would really bother Harm.
'No, really. I'm on the trip, I need to know don't I?'
Clay smiled. 'No, you don't. Not until you land. Just relax. You will be back in home in a couple of days.'
'I'll be glad for that. What about you?' Harm asked Clay.
Clay was quiet a moment as he looked out again at the field, watching for signs of the chopper. 'I'll be home a few days after you.'
'That will be nice, eh?' Harm said with a sly smile, thinking of the welcome in store for Clay from his Bride. 'Amy will be glad to have you back, don't you think?'
Clay looked at him with his own sly smile. Yes, he thought. I will be glad to be back home. 'There are things to finish here, but I will be glad to go home too.'
At this point, they could faintly hear the chopper approaching. 'Get ready.' Clay told everyone.
The helicopter was descending, hovering over the ground slowly making the landing. They were to land quickly, and Harm, Clay and the Marines would escort Hessid to the chopper, put him on board, Harm would board also, then the chopper would take off again. Very simple, and very quickly.
Clay gave the signal to move out, and the small group left the shelter of the building, and made their way onto the field.
At that moment, a crash was heard to their right. A truck had driven through the fence and stopped between the group and the building they had just exited, where more Marines were inside. Men exited the truck and began shooting. Once they had all left, the truck blew up in a large, loud fire ball, effectively cutting off the group of Marines on their way to the chopper and any reinforcements that might try and help.
The Marines with the prisoner, Clay and Harm, all hit the dirt as soon as they heard the explosion. In that split second, the prisoner broke away, and ran off into the night, toward the chopper.
Everyone was shooting and yelling, but nothing could be heard over the flaming of the truck, and the noise from the chopper rudders. Marines on board were shooting at the terrorists too, but they were being attacked in greater numbers, and didn't have a chance.
The terrorists moved to the chopper, pulled out the dead and wounded Marines on board, and took the chopper themselves, Hessid having joined them inside. Their own pilot took the controls, and the chopper took off, carrying only one of the passengers it had come for.
As the chopper took off, more yelling was heard, and more shots fired, but to no avail. The terrorists had gotten way, with Hessid. Harm watched in disbelief as it disappeared over the fence and out of sight in the darkness. The truck was still burning and there were wounded and dead men all around him. As Harm was slowly getting up, he saw Clay rise, and race to the door of the building, as more people came rushing outside to help the wounded.
Sometime later, after he had helped with the chaos outside, Harm went looking for Clay. He had some explaining to do. Harm finally found Clay packing a small bag near his bunk in the barracks.
'Where have you been?' he demanded.
'I went to the Communications Center to find out how the track that chopper.' came the curt answer.
Harm was angry that Clay had just left without helping the men down there.'Marines died down there tonight, we could have used some help.'
'If I don't find where that chopper went, and soon, more Marines are going to die.' Clay yelled back.
Harm thought about the hard truth of this, and let it pass. Instead he asked calmly. 'What are you going to do?'
'Go after them.' Clay said simply, as if it was just that easy.
'Alone?'
'There are other agents and contacts out there to help. I won't be alone.'
Without really hearing his answer Harm said, 'I have my orders, Clay, I can't come with you.'
'I'm not asking you to. I have my orders too and they are very straight forward. Find these people and stop them.' Clay had finished packing his bag, and turned to leave.
Harm looked at his friend, at the determination on his face, and wondered if this would be the last time he saw him. Putting that thought aside, he said 'Can I bring home a message for Amy?'
Clay thought for a moment. What could he say, or Harm say to make this easier for her? 'She knows what I am doing. She shouldn't but she does. She understands.'
'Yes, but anything else?' Harm prompted.
Clay thought a minute of all the things he would like to say to her. How much he loved and missed her; more than he thought possible. He felt like a part of him was missing, cut off some how. But he couldn't find the words, and he didn't want to bare his heart to Harm this way. 'Tell her I'm fine. I miss her, and love her very much. But she knows all that.'
Clay moved to leave, and Harm said. 'Be careful.'
This reminded Clay of one more thing. 'I will. Can I ask you to do one favor for me?' he asked.
'Name it.'
Clay swallowed. 'If something happens to me…'
Harm interrupted him. 'Nothing is going to happen.' He said forcefully, as if issuing an order.
Clay continued as if he had not said anything. 'Promise me you will look after Amy for me.'
'I promise.' Harm said reluctantly, 'But you better not make me keep that promise, Clay.'
Clay nods his thanks to his friend, since he hates goodbyes, he turned to leave the barracks without another word.
Mrs. Porter Webb's Residence
Great Falls, VA
1843 hours local time
Amy stood up from the dinner table, opened the dining room doors, and led the small party of her friends into the living room. Everyone was talking in small groups as they moved into the spacious room, and began sitting down in small groups, to continue their conversations.
When Porter had first suggested this little 'intimate gathering' as she called it, to celebrate Amy's birthday, Amy had declined. She did not feel like celebrating anything these days. She just wanted to plow through each day, in sort of a numb state. Get up, go to work a JAG, put on a brave face there. Work hard, and loose herself in the details of filing papers, researching information for the attorneys on the computers, and generally keep herself busy, so she could not think. Then she would grab some kind of food to sustain her on her way home. Something quick, nourishing, and tasteless, then go home and sew, or watch TV, more mind numbing work, until she fell into bed, where she got some sleep, to wake up the next day and start all over.
It had been almost 2 months now since the wedding. Two months since she had last seen Clay, get in a car, and drive away from her. She thought about that a lot, and it still made her feel completely empty inside. There had been no word from Clay in all that time. No phone call, no email, no note. Only what Harm had been able to tell her since he had seen Clay at the prison that first week. She wasn't even sure if he was still…he was alive, she insisted. She should always believe that, and not think of any other possibility. Porter had been a great comfort to her. Calling to check on Amy every few days, sharing a meal together a couple times a week. Porter missed Clay too, and was worried about him, but she assured Amy that this silence was not unusual for agents when they were in the field. Amy was not sure if Porter told her this for Amy's comfort, or her own, but whatever the reason, it worked. Sometimes.
And working at JAG had been wonderful. The Admiral was right, it was not exciting work, but it helped to be with good friends everyday, friends who cared. Without being too obvious, Harm and Sarah, Bud and Harriet, even the Admiral were all watching out for her. They included her in conversations, and lunch plans, or happy hour at the near by watering hole after hours. Amy had never been much for hanging out in bars, but to just be included with activities in these peoples lives had helped make the time a little less lonely for her.
And now, here they all were, celebrating her birthday. Her friends at JAG, a few other acquaintances, and a couple friends of Porter's who Amy had met. They had finished dinner, and would have cake and coffee in the living room. Amy was enjoying the evening, everyone had been so kind and attentive. The invitation had clearly stated no gifts, at her insistence, but a few people brought little thoughtful gifts anyway. 'It wasn't a birthday without birthday presents' Sarah had told her as she handed her a smartly wrapped present. Amy appreciated the thought, and the attention, and true friendship everyone had shown her, but the evening seemed a little incomplete without Clay there. She missed him so much, loved him, and prayed for his welfare. He just had to come home soon, he just had to.
Porter was talking to the Admiral, and Amy was watching from across the room, wondering again how she did it. How she could stand this…waiting. The doorbell rang, and Amy watched as Porter looked as surprised as she was. There was not supposed to be any late arriving guests. From the corner of her eye, Amy watched Harrison move to the front hall, and answer the door. There were some men's voices, but Amy could not make out what they were saying. Jennifer Coates had come over and started talking to Amy about how beautiful the house was, and Amy tried to listen to her, as she saw Harrison enter the room, followed by two young men in dark suits.
Sarah and Harm were sitting together on the couch near the empty fireplace, when they heard the doorbell. They shared a glance, and Harm leaned over to his wife and said 'Wouldn't it be just like Clay to make a surprise entrance about now?' Sarah smiled. 'Wouldn't that be nice?' she said back to him. She watched as Harrison entered the living room followed by two young men in dark suits. Sarah could hear the slight intake of breath from her husband, as he saw them too, and wondered what has startled him. Harrison walked slowly up to Amy, and whispered discreetly in her ear. Sarah watched as Amy became very pale, and her eyes grew wide in fear. She looked at Harrison without saying a word, then looked up, and made eye contact with Porter.
Porter exchanged looks with Amy in a split second, and she too, grew very pale. Amy looked at the floor, and glanced about the room, not knowing what to do, then she took a deep breath, and whispered something back to Harrison, who then left the room, and beckoned the two men to follow him.
Sarah watched as Amy seemed unsure of what to do with her hands. She clasped, and unclasped them a few times. Then she glanced up at Sarah, who was looking intently at her, then looked away again, unable to meet her friend's eyes. Sarah became nervous, wondering what Harrison had whispered to Amy to make her react this way. Sarah looked again at Porter, who was still staring at Amy, but Amy would not look up at her mother-in-law. Sarah stood up to go to her friend, but at that moment, Amy excused herself from Jennifer, and left the room.
Sarah went over to Jennifer to find out if she overheard any of the exchange between Amy and Harrison, but Jennifer said no, she hadn't. 'Amy just said excuse me, and left, ma'am.' Sarah felt something was wrong, but did not know what exactly. She hoped it was not bad news. And then it dawned on her. If it was news about Clay, CIA agents delivered the news to the family the same way the military did; with a personal call from an official from the service. Oh, no, Sarah thought, and her heart sank.
Harrison's words kept echoing in Amy's head, 'There are two agents here who wish to speak to you Ma'am.' He had said the sentence very quietly, but she could hear the sympathy there. He knew what this meant. A cold hand seemed to have griped her shoulder at that moment, and froze the blood in her veins. 'Two agents… wish to speak to you…' Somehow she had found her voice, and told Harrison to show them into the study. She was outside the door to that room now. She couldn't breath. She would have to move her hand, grip the door knob, and open the door, and face what was on the other side. She had to face it. A little voice deep inside said, if you don't open the door, you can go on living the way you have been. Whatever news these men had would not be true if you don't talk to them now. It wasn't logical, but it seemed to make sense right now. Keep the door closed on the truth, and it would never come out. Her heart was pounding in her head. 'Get a grip Marine.' She said aloud. 'Nothing can change the truth.' Taking a breath, and putting a shaking hand on the door knob, she entered the study.
Back in the living room, when Amy had left, Porter excused herself from the Admiral and left. A quiet had fallen on the guests, and no one seemed to know what was going on. In a few moments, Harrison came back in and talked quietly to the Admiral. Then he left the room, and everyone waited for the Admiral to tell them what was going on. 'Harrison has just informed me that two CIA Agents have come to talk privately with Amy and then they will talk with Mrs. Porter Webb. We don't know what it is they wish to talk to the ladies about, but it might be best if we all quietly leave now, and leave them to their privacy.' At this everyone stood, and began collecting purses and coats to head home.
Sarah and Harm stayed behind, coming up to the Admiral. 'We were thinking we would stay, Sir. Amy may need us.' Harm said quietly. 'You are probably right. I think I will stay too. Maybe I can help making some calls or something.' The Admiral said. He didn't know what help he could offer for sure, but he wanted to stay and offer whatever help was needed. The three of them sat back down in the lovely living room, to wait.
In the study, Amy entered the room, closed the door very methodically, and turned to face the two agents, who were standing on the other side of the room. The first thing that struck Amy was that they looked so young. She thought they could barely be out of college. She would have smiled at this thought, and at the way the two men fidgeted, if she wasn't so scared.
The two agents looked at her, then glanced at each other nervously, then looked back at Amy. They both seemed unsure of how to begin. Amy wasn't sure herself how to start the conversation, one she hoped she would never have to face, and she was not aware of how it begins. Finally one of the agents cleared his throat and began with introductions. 'Ah, Mrs. Webb, my name is Agent Murphy, Danny…ah Daniel Murphy, and this is Agent Hugh Byrnes.' The other agent nodded in Amy direction, but did not say anything. Agent Murphy continued. 'Ah…Assistant Director Stillman sent us over here to talk to you.' Stillman didn't have the guts to come here and face me himself? Amy thought to herself. It made her angry, which was a better than feeling scared.
Amy was thinking this, and missed the next sentence Agent Murphy said. '…a message from your husband, Agent Webb.' He was saying.
Amy interrupted him, 'Wait, what did you say? A message from my husband?'
'Yes, ma'am.' Agent Byrnes finally found his voice. 'A few hours ago, Agent Webb left a message on a secure line about his plan and what he was doing, and where he was…'
Agent Murphy cut off his partner before he went too far, 'But all that is classified, Ma'am.'
'Oh, yes, classified' echoed Byrnes. The both looked very serious saying this. Seeing this act almost made Amy smile. 'But at the end of the message, against the rules I might add,' this comment earned him a sideways glance from Murphy, 'Agent Webb left a personal message for you.'
Amy couldn't believe it. Clay wasn't missing, or dead. He had just left a message. Relief poured through Amy like warm water. She closed her eyes, and felt the room sway. She opened her eyes again, but that didn't help, the room did sway, just a little bit. She reached out behind her for a chair, moved two steps back, and sank into it. 'I have to sit down.' She told the agents. 'You two just took 5 years off my life. Give me a minute.'
The two young agents moved closer to her, nervously. This was not the reaction they had been expecting. Mrs. Webb looked white as a sheet, and was taking deep breaths. Then Murphy realized what she had been thinking. 'Oh!' he exclaimed. 'Oh, Mrs. Webb, you thought…you thought we had come to tell you…' he looked over at his partner, who was still in the dark. Murphy brought him up to speed. 'She thought we had come here to tell her…"bad" news.' Now Byrnes said, 'Oh, no Mrs. Webb, nothing like that. Agent Webb is fine. Or was at least a couple hours ago.' Murphy gave him a dirty look at that, as if to say 'That's no help.'
Murphy began fumbling in his pocket, and pulled out a small tape recorder, the kind that is usually used for dictation. He set it on the corner of the desk. 'Here, Ma'am. The message to you is on this tape. Director Stillman just wanted us to bring it to you. This copy is yours to keep. We are sorry for any confusion, Ma'am.' Murphy thought that Mrs. Webb was looking a little better now. 'We'll just go and leave you alone to listen to it.' He nudged Byrnes, and the moved toward the door.
Amy stopped them one last time. 'Gentlemen. Today is my birthday. We were just about to have some cake. Why not stay and have a piece.'
'Thank you Mrs. Webb.' Byrnes answered surprised. 'We would love to.' And they started for the door.
'Ah, please tell Mr. Harrison, who no doubt is out in the hallway waiting, that Agent Webb is fine, and that you were delivering a message from him. Harrison will see that the news is passed around to the rest of the guests.'
'Yes, Ma'am' they answered, and left the study.
The room had stopped spinning, and Amy stood up, and moved to the tape recorder. She picked it up, and holding it, pushed the play button.
Clay's tired voice immediately came over the speaker. 'That's about it. One more thing. I don't care if is against the rules, please get a message to my wife. My wife Amy.' There was a pause here, and she heard him take a breath. His voice changed from business to personal in that breath. 'Amy. It's just good to say her name out loud. Darling I love you. I'm sorry about all this. I'm sorry it has been so long. I miss you. Be strong Amy. You are my lifeline. Knowing you are there, and love me,…It keeps me going. I think about you every day, and every night. Hang on. I will be home, and we will have our life together. I promise. I…I have to finish things here. I don't know how much longer…but know I love you, need you. Give Mother my love too. Stay close to her. I'll be home as soon as I can.' He stopped here. It sounded as if he wanted to say more, but didn't know what to say. Then his voice went back to his 'business' tone. 'That's all. Webb out.' And she heard the little click of the line being broken.
Amy hadn't realized she was crying until that moment, when she felt a tear fall on her hand, that was still holding the recorder. Her cheeks hurt from smiling, and she felt alive. More alive than she had in 2 months. If felt as if, through his voice, his hand came out and touched her, held her. She let out a little sob, both happy and sad, and rewound the tape to listen to it again.
After 3 times through, she tried her eyes, and put the recorder in the desk drawer, but kept the tape itself in her pocket. Then she left the room, to rejoin her birthday party, with a very big smile on her face.
End Chapter 9