Hey gang!! A bit of an early posting again today. I am sitting around, waiting for the cable dood to drop by and started working on the story. I figure, an early posting was in order. Don't you think? Of course you do! So far, of all of the stories I've written, the name of this chapter is my favourite. Came out of the blue as I was fishing around for something else and it just stuck. WOuld make a kick ass name for an episode title.
It's kinda funny, I keep wondering why people keep asking who Mac called. Well, DUH, you guys haven't seen who it was. Yes, I have airheaded moments. :P And you know Mac's NEW partner? Well, you'll be hating him a bit more. ;) More at the bottom.
Thanks to: XBlueShadowX, Aimee5, Charmboy4, starryeyes10, Nikki, dansingwolf, jag4ever, lei, Jackia, EternalSleep, Cristina, Tina Frank, achaon, Abigaile, Hieros Gamos, froggy0319, joanoa, JadeAlmasy, SpaceMan546, dansingwolf, carbygirl , JAGJenni, Manda, starryeyes, BiteBeccy, ng59678, LtColDevilDog, martini, mizukimarr, jtbwriter, Macaroon, Lissie, n.k, and anyone else I missed for the Feedback..
Enjoy gang!
PART 5 – A Wolf In Marine Clothing
July 3, 2005
2100 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Mac had been alternating between pacing and watching over Harm. He was there. He was alive. And Mac was feeling a myriad of emotions: elation, sadness, anger, hope and betrayal. Thoughtfully, she chewed on her lower lip. Classified information was just that and it was possible when he was called in just before New Years, that he didn't know it would turn out to be a CIA mission. At least, she hope he didn't know because Mac wasn't so sure she could take Harm lying to her about his whereabouts. Though her relationship with Webb would have crumbled sooner or later, she knew that most of their demise rested on his work and the 'need to know' bullshit that he would feed her. That was something she hoped to avoid altogether with Harm; despite their occasional involvement with the agency.
Leaning against the frame of her bedroom door, she watched the fitful sleep. She wanted to shake him out of it, but was afraid of what would happen; of what demon she'd summon. One thing she was relieved about: he was alive. They wouldn't have to wonder anymore. Well, she wouldn't have to wonder anymore, everyone else believed that he was gone for good. Everyone lese thought that she had lost it.
A knock on the door startled her. Opening it, she lead her guest through the apartment and towards her bedroom. "I am sorry for this, but you were the only one I could turn to. . . I didn't want to involve Bud or the others seeing as I don't know how far all of this goes."
"It's okay, Mac. Despite some rather odd situations, I hope I am still a friend to all of you." Former Admiral AJ Chegwidden stood by Mac's bed, studying a man that he'd come to care for like a son. He came around and stared at Harm's face, covered by the thick, un-maintained beard that looked so out of place. Squatting down, he was able to get a better look at some of the injuries. Injuries that were probably infected. "He needs medical attention." He turned towards Mac and smiled softly. "You were right." She was right and everyone, AJ included, were fools to believe otherwise. . .
April 2, 2005
AJ Chegwidden's Home
McLean, Virginia
That evening, Mac had been driving around aimlessly. She just didn't want to be home, alone, with her thoughts. Earlier that day she'd gone to Langley to try, yet again, to find some sort of information and, yet again, she came up empty. Part of her wanted, so badly to just run off and find him, but she didn't know where to start. "Mac?"
"I'm sorry, sir. . .I just. . . need to talk to someone." Her eyes were bloodshot, tearstains marked her face.
"Come in." AJ lead her into the living room, got Mac a glass of water and two Tylenol caplets then sat in the chair opposite her. "What's been going on?" Though AJ wasn't in town for a few months, the moment he arrived in March, he was informed of the situation. There was a sadness, one that he was sure he would feel if something had happened to his own daughter. Despite some odd attraction in the early years between he and Mac, now, they were like his kids. They were the people that he chose to protect and fight for because they would do the same for him. Harm had always been a special case for him. A man AJ was sure would eventually be the next JAG. It was upsetting and extremely unnerving that, almost two years ago, Harm had thrown away everything on a whim. And, even now, after all was said and done, AJ still felt ashamed of how he reacted. His hands were tied then and he was left to sacrifice one of his own to keep the rest of his people safe. Only, Rabb wouldn't stay behind; he defied AJ's commands, risked his life to bring Mac back and all he could do was toss him out on his ass. Some SEAL he was!
AJ stared at the Marine for a moment longer, watching her wrestle with emotions that she rarely let slip. The only other time he'd seen her like this was when Harm had gone down at sea. "He's alive, I have this strong feeling that he is. . . but no one believes me." She finally said, gulping down most of the water along with the two Tylenol caplets.
"Have you tried to find him?" AJ asked timidly, still in awe that she was even able to 'find' his raft in the middle of a storm battered ocean. "You did it once."
Mac had tried to use their eerie connection, but she still couldn't reach him. Maybe her timing was off this time? Maybe he really was gone? "No." She shook her head and sighed deeply. "I can't find him. . .I've tried." That's the part that had her freaked out the most. What if she couldn't find him because they were all right.
"Look, I'd be lying if I said I truly believe in all of that hokum, but. . .you surprised me twice before. . .try again."
"And what if he is gone, for good this time? What then? What am I supposed to do?" She vehemently fought the tears, telling herself that she wouldn't break down again. Mac needed to remain strong and sane. "No one believes me anyway. They all resigned to the fact that the damned CIA says he is gone."
AJ sighed, "I am surprised you haven't run after him."
"I would if I knew where to go." She said with a frown. Mac couldn't help but remember how he'd risked his. . . everything for her and she couldn't even afford him the same courtesy. "I've hit so many brick walls that I basically boxed myself in. . . No one knows anything."
"I'll see what I can do, but if the agency has declared him dead. . ."
He didn't have to say it, because Mac knew. "I know, sir. . .I just. . . keep hoping and waiting for some sort of lead."
"I'll see what I can find out." But, as the time passed, AJ, himself, couldn't find out a damned thing. As far as all information showed, he was dead. Either that or the agency had learned from Clay's faux pas and learned to cover its tracks better.
July 3, 2005
2110 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
"I didn't find him though." She said with a frown. "I tried and tried but couldn't." Mac clenched her jaw angrily grinding her teeth. "Now those sons a bitches have the nerve to believe he's gone rogue which is their explanation as to why he was away for so long."
AJ wrapped his arms around her, soothing her as he spoke. "Mac, you tried. . . You believed. And I do not think, for a moment that he chose to cross to the other side. That is just bullshit, and you know it." He stepped away from her and fished through his pockets for his cell phone.
"Who are you calling?"
"A friend. . ." AJ spoke over the phone, relaying Mac's home address and asking that the person on the other line be 'discreet' when arriving. At Mac's blank stare, AJ grinned slightly. "Dr. Stephen Bishop, back in Nam he was the corpsman of our unit." With a sad look he glanced at the phone then back at Mac. "One of the few that got out with me. . .He continued onward, worked as a resident in Bethesda and, six years ago opened up his own practice."
"You trust him, sir." It was a statement more than a question.
AJ nodded. "With my life." Smirking, he tapped Mac on the shoulder. "And you have got to cut the, 'sir' crap, else I will find a way to ship you to the Aleutians."
"Aye, sir. . uh, AJ." Mac grinned.
2203 Zulu
CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia
The Marine headed along the hallway, escorted by one of the security guards in Langley. No one was allowed to wander the halls aimlessly, even when the person had been called in by one of the higher ups. "Here, Major." The guard, a man that had to be at least seven feet tall and was built like a linebacker, pointed to a waiting room. "He will see you in just a few minutes."
Major Chris Steele literally felt like sticking his tongue out at the guard. He'd always hated the agency even though it was his right, from birth, to become a member. On his eighteenth birthday, he ran away from his family's lush mansion in Alexandria, joined the corps, only to be used by the Agency anyway. You see, on paper, Major Steele was a former Hornet pilot, a cover needed to push a few of his new partner's buttons. In reality, he was a killing machine, specially trained to handle problems dealing with the Agency and the military.
Opening up the file that he'd been shoved with since this whole charade had begun, he stared at the picture that had been found in Harm's apartment which he was ordered to trash so many months ago. In the picture, Harm and Mac stood next to each other wearing desert BDUs and boonies. Rabb, he thought, looked ridiculous, whereas MacKenzie, seemed to look good in anything. "Sarah MacKenzie." A satisfied smirk appeared at the thought of his new partner. Occasionally, the job had a few perks and this was surely one of them. He'd bumped into Mac once aboard the Henry and since then, he'd been smitten. This job, had been a godsend. Now, if they agency hadn't designed such a pathetic cover, maybe she'd loathe him a little less.
"Major Steele, you can go in now." Said the guard, opening the door into a very plush office.
Chris walked in, standing at attention before the desk of newly appointed Assistant Deputy Director Raymond Levine. "Reporting as ordered, sir."
"At ease, I am not your CO, Chris. . take a seat." Ray Levine pointed at one of the oversized chairs across from his desk then stood, heading towards a small bar. "Can I get you something to drink?"
Chris shook his head. "No, I just want to get this over before the General thinks I went UA. . . I am supposed to be at JAG helping with something or other." Whether or not he needed a drink, Ray placed it in Chris' hand and nodded for him to take a sip. "Cognac from Cuba, eh? Can't believe you still waste money on that."
"Bad habits don't die, I am afraid." Ray downed his own drink then settled himself into the chair. He studied the younger man before him. Despite that he'd chosen to join the military world, Chris was still his creation, his pupil and most prized possession. "I always see my sister when I look into your eyes. . . She'd have been proud." He turned around slightly, adjusting the chair so he could look out of the windows and onto the courtyard which was bustling with future agents. "These people are all garbage, Christopher. Non of them are dedicated enough to do what really needs to be done." He grinned and pointed one finger up, a gesture he used to make a point. "See, sacrifice is the only way to get the ball rolling. . .And it always works." Snapping out of his ideals for a utopic government, he turned back to Chris and smiled. "When your mother was dying I promised her I'd take good care of you."
"Yes, and I am grateful. . .You've been very good to me, Uncle." The Marine took a deep breath, fidgeting slightly in the chair. He was getting tired again; bored and tired and that wasn't good for an action junkie. "I am really getting tired of doing every last little petty piece of shit that the agency asks for. . ." He slid to the edge of his seat, his face illuminated by thoughts of war. "Give me blood, gore, guts. . . REAL action, not hand holding some pretty skirt."
Raymond chuckled slightly. Christopher had always been a slightly disturbed child, the ones that would play with animals until they ceased to exist. It was that, Raymond figured, which led Chris to the Corps, the training to be a precise killing machine. Raymond only heightened his expertise, teaching him the finer points of destroying targets. It was like an art form, one that even Chris' parents, both former agents, were skilled at. "That pretty skirt is your assignment, Christopher. . .I suggest you accept that."
Chris sighed dramatically. "Well, I would if I knew why I was babysitting her."
"We gave you information." Ray said, pointing to the manila envelope on Chris' lap. "A lot of information."
"Yes, on her and her ex-partner, but nothing else, no details. . . nada, zero, zip, zilch, nil."
"Christopher!" This was the one thing that Raymond hated, the fact that his nephew never took anything seriously. "It's the Commander we are wondering about."
Chris chuckled. "He's dead. . . But, the Colonel doesn't believe it."
"And she might be right. . .Our sources say that if he is, he will come to her."
"Sooo?"
"Christopher, get your head out of your ass. . ." Ray snapped. He stood and walked around the desk, sitting on it's top just in front of Chris. "Rabb is important to us. . . well, to me in particular. . . I want you to get in good with the Colonel. Find out if she is hiding him."
"Couldn't we just bug her place?"
"Yes, and get in deep trouble for it. . . the former JAG set up an agreement with Secretary Sheffield and Deputy Director Kershaw that his people were never to be used again. . . unfortunately, certain governmental types are abiding by that. If, for some reason, anyone figured we were bugging MacKenzie's place, I'd be out on my ass." Raymond shook his head. It was a miracle that they got Rabb to fly the Aurora at all. Well, not a miracle, just a lot of manipulation seeing as they waited until he was in the air, doing a cross-country with an F-14 (something that they set up) in order to get him away from DC and all the rules they were now bound by. "We can not touch her in the office or in her home. . . Which is why I want you to. . ."
"Seduce her." Chris said, in a tone of pure pleasure. He knew the drill because he'd done it before. Oh, how he thought about Sarah MacKenzie, in ways that would make a priest blush. This was turning out to be one hell of a case.
"Wipe that smirk away, Christopher, it won't be easy."
"Oh, believe me I know. .. the woman is a cast iron bitch and ball buster." He said with a dry chuckle. Mac was going to be a challenge and, he liked challenges.
"Not just that." Raymond stood, venturing back to the bar and served himself another drink. "We had an agent in the inside, I believe she compromised him."
"Who?"
"Clayton Webb."
A deep ripple of laughter came out of Chris. "You mean you guys are still letting him run around after all the fuck ups?"
"They dated, they broke up. . .He is rather pissed off about it, I figured it would be easier that way." Okay, so it wasn't the smartest plan, but he figured that a man scourned would be easier to manipulate. Apparently, that whole 'scourned' thing only worked with women.
Immediately, the jovial tone that Christopher Steelee had taken on went away. He was back to business, back to being a machine. "What do you want me to do."
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Maj. Steelee wasn't going to be a bad guy. But, I didn't want to use the usual bad guys and this was a lot of fun. The hard part was trying to undo his whole "Hornet Pilot" background which I had started a few chappies prior. I think it works! Confuse the readers! I love it!
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Xblue – LOL!! Love when it happens that way! The Uncle is Colonel Matthew O'Hara and no, he wasn't the one. I believe he is still in Leavenworth. It's one of those damned lose ends on JAG. :P
Joanoa – You'll find out why her "powers" didn't work. It had to do with Harm, you'll see what I mean coming up around chapter 7 or 8 when they finally get to talk.
Lei – Harm on Crack? No! The Agency on Crack? Yes!
Carbygirl – Get used to the cliffhangers, I love those. :)
Nikki – The Heavyness in chapters is going to get a bit more. Esp the NEXT one which I am sure a lot of people are going to be flipping over in a bad way.
Tina Frank – I love angst too! Oxymoron or not! ;) Angst is in my heart. And yes, the blue eyes do belong to Harm. He just won't be himself much for a few chapters. He has something to uncharacteristically get over. Stop scrapping and start writing!!! :P
Froggy – Far from over is an understatement!
Jade – Oh, he pissed off one or two people. About shooting his partner, we'll see. It's not as black and white as spookboy and the agency believe.
JTBWriter – I apparently have that affect on people. It's okay, I'll have the tissue standing by!
Charmboy – Ding ding ding!! You got it my friend!
Jackia – Harm's in some sort of DARK place, you'll see what I mean in future chappies. It won't be pretty but we'll love and support them. ;)