Reaching Out - Chapter 4
Author: Arian
Rating: PG-13 due to crime scene details
Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

A/N: This and following chapters will have crossovers with NCIS, as JAG has been doing less and less with crime scenes. I don't proclaim to be an NCIS expert, so please excuse any random mistakes I may make. I also don't own any part of NCIS, and am only shamelessly borrowing its characters for the purpose of my own ravings.

A/N2: The new places described in this story are real. I have tried to make it as real as possible, and while I spent some time checking my facts, I haven't been to DC in a while, so forgive any inaccuracies. I hope it helps the story along.

A/N3: This may be the last chapter I post until Sunday night or Monday, as I will be away this weekend. But hey, at least there's a new JAG on tomorrow night! And this chapter is just a wee bit longer to make up for the gap.

A/N4: Thank you so much for the great reviews. It really helps to have your work appreciated. Special thanks to froggy0319 (hope you're not reading this before bed), NavyCB, Maria, Jackia, Little Eirtae, aserene, Maidenpride21 (I didn't even think of that when writing this, but may encorporate it later), and Mari (thank you so much for the wonderful compliment!)

October 28 2004
Near West Potomac Park
1017 EST

Mac sat silently in the front seat of the Lexus as Harm navigated toward the crime scene. She was watching the surroundings with an intensity that surprised Harm, and seemed to hold her breath at every corner. Finally pulling onto the street NCIS had directed them to, his breath caught in his throat. Parking the vehicle quickly, Harm exited, came around and immediately stared up the sidewalk. They were half a block from an alley, and he found himself standing in almost the exact setting of his dream.

"Harm?" Mac wrinkled her forehead in concern.

"This is what I saw. This is where I was, and she was up there." He stated quietly. Mac put a hand on his arm and they started up the street. Coming to the corner of a small alley, Mac noticed the crime scene tape and several agents further down the gap between two buildings. Several had cameras and there were numerous yellow numbers scattered about the area.

"Can I help you?" An attractive brunette woman came up to them, obviously confused as to their reason for being there.

"Lt. Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Rabb, JAG Corps. An agent McGee invited us to stop by."

Agent Kate Todd raised her eyebrows at them. "He did, did he? And may I ask how that happened?" The officers' names had sparked a memory; DiNozzo had mentioned Rabb's name in connection with a case before she came on board at NCIS. Something about not asking Gibbs about him. Ever.

"I understand this is where Petty Officer Stacey Holmes' body was found yesterday. I escorted a junior member of our staff to identify the body last night.' Harm was slightly relieved that he couldn't identify anyone rummaging about the scene. All of this was more than a little creepy, and it was throwing him off balance. He didn't want to run into Gibbs with anything less than a fully functioning sense of logic.

Kate was about to speak again when McGee came up to the small group. "Commander, Colonel. Nice to meet you. I'm Special Agent McGee, and I see you've already met Special Agent Todd."

Mac let a smile slip through before hiding it well. This guy was definitely a newbie. Just the way he said 'special agent' spoke volumes, and the annoyed look Agent Todd threw him suggested McGee had yet to learn all of the rules of engagement. "Thank you for inviting us down Agent McGee. We're here unofficially, but that could change later on depending on the outcome of your investigation. I realize that could create an interesting situation, so please only disclose what you're comfortable with." The least Mac could do was cut the kid a break and give him a few hints as to how things should be done.

"Yes ma'am."

"McGee, can I speak with you for a moment? If you'll excuse us." Agent Todd had an iron grip on the young man's arm and was obviously not happy with the situation. After a quick conference a few steps apart, she apparently relented, and turned back to Harm and Mac.

"Commander, Colonel, I'm not sure what details you already have, and of course you understand that nothing we discuss can be disclosed?"

"Of course Agent Todd. The only specifics we currently have are that Petty Officer Holmes was killed and found here. Her identity was confirmed by Petty Officer Jennifer Coates last night." Harm used every ounce of lawyer facade he had in him to keep the emotions that evoked in him under the surface.

Kate began walking down the alleyway, in the direction of several busy agents. "The petty officer was lying against that wall over there. Her throat had been slit and early indications lean towards her being found within 48 hours of her death."

"Why such a large time frame?" The West Potomac Park area included most of the major Washington monuments, but also several blocks of businesses and governmental offices. Of all the areas in Washington it had to be one of the most highly patrolled.

"Forensic evidence indicates she wasn't here any longer than that. We also have several witnesses that claim to have seen her two days ago at a class session."

Harm was also puzzled. "While we are in an alley, it isn't particularly secluded." Several of the bordering buildings had rear and side doors leading onto the small street. "How could she have been dead for two days and no one knew?"

Kate bristled at the implication her evidence wasn't complete. Who the hell were these two lawyers to come down to her crime scene and begin questioning their methods? Unfortunately for him, McGee cut into the conversation before she could respond.

"It is fall Commander. The body was found under some leaves that had blown in here. A store clerk bringing out the trash noticed her hand sticking out from under the pile." McGee passed them a few preliminary crime scene photos.

Mac sucked in her breath at what they depicted. A slender white arm reached out from under the leaves, and it reminded her of the silent plea of the woman in her dream and the apparition of Stacey from the night before. Other photos showed the body from different angles, the woman's purse and cover lying on the ground, the contents of the purse, and finally several shots of the walls of the alley. She silently handed them over to Harm, and after looking at Agent Todd for permission stepped further into the crime scene. "She was killed here. This wasn't a dump."

Kate wasn't exactly impressed by her assessment, any beginner could tell that, but she did soften a little towards the other woman. "Yes. Arterial spray on the walls indicates she was facing the street when her assailant killed her. Scuff marks on the ground show us that she was dragged down here almost all the way from the street, and in several spots they are interrupted, telling us that she kicked and struggled." Glaring at McGee to keep his mouth shut, Kate walked over to where Mac was examining the floor of the alley. "Colonel, this is a bit unusual, you and the Commander coming down here. Can I ask why you've taken an interest?"

Mac looked up at her weighing her options, and decided there was nothing to lose. "Petty Officer Coates is a personal friend, and was particularly shaken by the death of her classmate. They were taking an evening psychology class together, and Coates was asked to identify the body. We were hoping to find some closure for her, but this scene would only make her feel worse I'm afraid."

Agent Todd seemed to accept the explanation, and stepped back. "If you would like I can make sure you see a copy of our report when it is filed, baring any difficulties." She held out her hand to Mac, and Mac returned the handshake.

"Thank you Agent Todd, we'd appreciate that. Agent McGee." She nodded to the younger man, and then motioned for Harm to precede her out of the area.

Harm was silent until they returned to the SUV. "Okay Mac, what are you thinking?" She had been concentrating so hard he could swear he smelled smoke.

"I don't know. That she was too young for this to happen. That there is someone out there who grabbed her, dragged her into the darkness and splashed her lift all over the walls. That her body was reaching out to be found before she ever came to us. Murders happen all the time, why is this one haunting us?"

"Did you recognize anything from the scene? The area?" Harm put the Lexus in drive and pulled away from the curb, making his way back toward the office.

"No. Nothing. We seem to have had different dreams, with different women, only yours is true and mine isn't. I just don't understand." Mac had half feared her dream would have been another vision, but apparently her gift had rubbed off on Harm.

"Well, I guess we just have to wait for their report. Maybe Petty Officer Holmes just wanted to make sure someone was paying attention to her." Mac frowned at his suggestion, but couldn't come up with anything else that would connect them to the woman.

JAG Headquarters
1630 EST

"Ma'am?" Coates peeked her head inside Mac's door, looking pale but composed.

"Coates, please come in." Mac put aside the folder containing information on the young woman's friend. After returning from the crime scene, she and Harm had decided to just let it go. Something still bothered her about the case however, and she kept returning to the facts, hoping to find something that would indicate why the woman would have appeared to them the night before. "I didn't expect to see you in today."

"Yes, ma'am. Commander Turner let me take leave, but when I got home there was nothing I could do except think about it. I figured it was better to be at work, at least I'm useful here." There were dark circles under Jen's eyes, but a stiffness in her spine that spoke volumes about the woman's ability to bounce back and perform her duties.

"I can understand that. Was there something you needed?" Mac was a bit concerned that Coates would ask her to investigate her friend's murder, but what she told Mac was in fact much more disturbing.

"No ma'am. I just wanted to inform you that the new JAG has been confirmed. Major General Creswell will be officially assuming command next Monday morning, and you may see him around the office during this week as he settles in. Commander Turner recommended I advise the staff."

Mac struggled to keep her expression neutral. When Harm had mentioned that Creswell had self-destructed at the Senate Committee Hearing, she had been relieved. It wasn't a joke that this man could make her life hell. On top of everything from her past, things were just starting to get on an even keel with Harm, and if Creswell caught whiff of anything other than complete professionalism, she could kiss her career and JAG goodbye. "I see. Thank you Petty Officer."

Jen nodded her head sharply. "Thank you for coming over last night, ma'am. I appreciated having those I care for around me. I hope I didn't cause any inconvenience."

Mac smiled, thinking more about how much more inconvenient their ghostly visitor had been. "Not at all Jen, please let me know if you need anything."

"Yes ma'am, thank you ma'am." With that Jen walked out and closed the door behind her.

Mac sighed deeply. Now what was she going to do? Definitely no more sleeping over at Harm's, no matter how tired they were. Plus, once Creswell came in she would either be reassigned or so buried with work that she would never have time to work on this murder case. The one she was supposed to be forgetting about.

Rubbing her temples, she almost jumped out of her chair at a firm knock on the door. Hoping it might be Harm, she called for the visitor to enter. She was a bit surprised when Bud walked through the door. He hadn't previously been one to possess a commanding knock; his Lt. Commander bars were apparently very good for him. She had noticed his new level of confidence, and he seemed more likely to treat the other senior attorneys as equals instead of as paragons of the law.

"Hey Bud, what's up?" She pushed the Holmes folder even farther away; she wasn't going to get back to it again this afternoon.

"Good afternoon ma'am. I take it you heard about the decision for the new JAG?"

"Yes, Coates just came in to inform me. I heard you were recording for the selection committee. Glad it's over?" She smiled, guessing those must have been some pretty political conversations, and Bud wasn't always at ease in such situations.

"Yes ma'am. It wasn't so much the actual sessions, it was all of the politics that happened outside of the room." Bud realized once again he may have said too much, but at Mac's understanding smile he continued. "Speaking of which, I wasn't sure if you had heard about the Masquerade Ball that the SecNav is now planning for this Saturday?" He handed her an engraved invitation on deep black and red paper.

"I hadn't. This is awfully short notice for what I assume will be a typical blowout soiree?" Mac had already heard the rumors circulating that the SecNav had been pushing Creswell as the President's choice for JAG, and had apparently stepped on a lot of toes along the way.

"Yes ma'am. I believe it's going to be more of a political, umm, ahh..." Bud had apparently had a phrase in mind, but was now struggling to find a politically correct replacement.

"Ass-kissing festival?" Mac almost snorted, if Creswell had heard her say that she would definitely be on the next flight to Iceland. The SecNav had a tendency to throw large extravagant parties when he needed to get all of the important people in one room and schmooze his way around their egos.

"Exactly what I was thinking ma'am. Anyway, everyone from JAG has been invited, as we are the office of the moment. I've already called home and made sure Harriet could come, and of course she asked me if you would be there." Bud thought back to Harriet's other issue with the costume party. She had no idea what to wear that would accommodate her and the twins.

"I have a feeling there isn't much of a choice in attending or not, but yes, I'll be there. Do you have any suggestions for where to get a costume this late?" Mac hadn't planned on doing anything special for the holiday, but one didn't show up to a masquerade ball wearing a sheet with holes cut in it.

"I can ask Harriet if she knows of anyone. It wouldn't really surprise me. I'll call her back to let her know you're coming, and ask her then."

"Thanks Bud, say hello for me." At her dismissal, Bud turned and left the room, leaving the door open. Mac was starting to get one hell of a headache; between the Holmes murder, Creswell becoming the new JAG, and now having to get things in order for a party, the tension in her shoulders was radiating right up into the back of her skull. Looking over at her clock and realizing it was now after 1700, she decided to secure for the day.

Just as she picked up her cover and briefcase, the phone rang. "Colonel MacKenzie."

"Hey Mac, it's me." Harms quiet voice came over the line, and while serious it still sent a shiver down her spine.

"Harm, you're just around the corner. Would it kill you to walk down here?" she smiled. Suddenly the line clicked off. Worrying she had upset him, she put the phone down and headed towards the door. He came through it into her office before she made it there however, and she watched him close the door. His expression was grave.

"There's been another murder."

TBC

Next Chapter, on JAG...

Kate grimaced while trying to keep her blowing hair out of her face. "Sorry to bring you out on such an awful night, but due to your previous interest in the Holmes case I thought you might want to see this. I'll warn you, it isn't pretty."

"Not serial." At Mac's questioning eyebrow, he continued, "it takes three to be a serial killer. There are only two bodies." As he spoke Harm continued walking back towards the car, only to realize he was alone. Looking back, he noticed Mac had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, looking up the street with a sad look on her face.

"You're wrong Harm. There are three. We just haven't found the third one yet." With that she nodded up the street

She went over to the phone on her desk. Dialing a familiar extension, she waited for him to pick up and then asked, "Well Commander, do you want to play hooky and go get a costume?"