Title : More Than Meets The Eye

Author : Jaggie 107

Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount.

Rating : G to PG-13

Spoilers : Episode 'JAG TV'; I watched this through vidclips recently, and wondered what would have happened between Harm and Mac, if she gave herself some space from Mic, and found Harm! Some of the story is in the style of 'emails' sent to and fro between Harm and Mac. And some of it is upfront and personal!

Summary : Mac is angry with Mic over his comments to the media, and Harm gets some good-humored ribbing from others on board ship when they see Mac on TrialTV. Harm is on board ship for an investigation, and doing his quals at the same time. Mac is sent out to assist on another case, and finds herself getting hot under the collar!

A/N – Words inside ( ) symbols denote the emails.


Thanks go to HM foreva, Manda, Beach Chick JASSNL, jaka, froggy0319, cbw, and bluejay742 for your wonderful reviews. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, and please keep reading!


JAG HEADQUARTERS - FALLS CHURCH – VIRGINIA

Admiral Chegwidden watched as one of his senior attorneys appeared on a talk show, and without compromising either her case or herself, did battle royal against the media, and used the media to assist her in her quest! A smile tilted his lips as Mac made a mockery of her opponent on live television. He knew it would be hurting her to do this, but he was proud of her that she had been so successful at it. Now perhaps the trial could come to a close, and Mac could have some privacy from the intrusive spotlight on her life.

BRUMBY & BRUMBY LAW OFFICES - WASHINGTON DC

Mic Brumby watched as Mac made an appearance on a popular talk show, and made her point on live television, thus helping to raise her own profile, while dragging down that of her opponent. Where he should have been proud to say he knew Sarah Mackenzie, he felt bitterness that it was she in the media, and in the courtroom, and he was restricted to a few paragraphs in a lousy rag, and had given up his option to appear in uniform in court. He had given up his career for Mac, and he felt the least she could do was recognize his devotion by wearing his ring on the correct hand; hell, the correct finger! He didn't see his belief in this as being almost an obsession. His obsession was not even with Mac. His obsession was making sure that the US Navy officer, Commander Harmon Rabb, didn't come anywhere near his Sarah ever again! Once they were married – and they would be – he would whisk Sarah away to Australia, and she would forget she ever knew a man called Harmon Rabb!

USS SEA HAWK - UNKNOWN LOCATION

(Hey Sailor! We won the verdict, and despite the foul taste I have in my mouth right now, I know we did right, so hopefully the taste of ashes will go away and I'll be able to breathe again when I'm back in a normal courtroom here at JAG. Your idea for fighting fire with fire (ie, the media) was brilliant, and so here I sit with my cup of cocoa and toast you from the bottom of my heart! Bud says "hello", as does Harriet. By the way, I didn't get chance to tell you! Harriet and Bud have asked if they might call their daughter 'Sarah', after me! I'm so thrilled at the honor they've bestowed on me. To already share their son with you as a Godparent means so much to me, and to have this gift also is beyond belief. You don't mind, do you? I mean, it's a little hard to call a girl 'Harmon', unless I guess they could add a 'y' – Harmony? No, I didn't think so, either! I can just picture you screwing up your nose at that one. I've got to go. Jingo needs a last trot round the block, and then I have a new case to look forward to in the morning, when the Admiral hands out the daily quota. You're getting off lightly here, Commander, I hope you realize I'm covering your six again! Then again, I do owe you for the media idea, so I'm hoping you'll call this chance to do your quals even, and we start again with a clean slate! I'm going… Take care, Harm, and thank you. Mac)

Harm opened the email along with his flight logbook, and as he entered the details of his latest quals report, he eyed the screen and the words printed there. Something in the writing drew his eyes, and he forgot about the logbook as he concentrated on the writing. Not once was the man mentioned. The Admiral was there, as were Harriet and Bud, but not one mention of Mic Brumby. Harm hadn't really expected there to be any direct mention of any names, but in previous emails Mac had alluded to things that Brumby had done, or that they had done as a couple. But now, nothing. Harm felt even more strongly that Mic had been the one to lay open Mac's private life, and for that his distrust of the Australian grew stronger, as his belief that Mac would marry the man grew weaker. Turning his thoughts then to the naming of the baby after Sarah, he was so pleased for her, and so proud of Harriet and Bud for thinking of Mac on such an occasion. They could easily have used family names for their unborn child, but it showed the love and respect they had for his Marine that they chose her. Whoa! His Marine – where the hell had that thought come from? Harm sat back, taking a deep breath. Maybe he was starting to read into these missives something that wasn't there. Just because Mac didn't mention Mic didn't mean that they weren't still together, and it certainly didn't mean that Mac would give him another chance. He'd hurt her already when he evaded her in Australia. Their friendship had risen again, but he wasn't sure about any other emotion she might feel for him. Certainly, he thought, she did not feel as possessive of him as he was of her. It was time to go topside, file his logbook, and get something to eat. He would send a response to Mac's email when he got back to his cabin.

JAG HEADQUARTERS - FALLS CHURCH – VIRGINIA

"The Sea Hawk, sir?"

"Is there a problem, Colonel?"

"No, sir, none. I'm just a little surprised. I understood Commander Rabb had dealt with the case he went out for, and was finishing his quals now."

"You've been in touch with the Commander?" The Admiral raised an eyebrow in question, and Mac looked across the empty chair usually occupied by Harm at these meetings.

"Yes, sir. We've been sending emails now and again. It's at the Commander's request, sir. He's trying to drag himself kicking and screaming into the age of technology."

"How's he doing?"

"Very well, sir. Most of his writing is understandable, and very little is legalese! I'm really impressed with his will to learn."

"So'm I, Colonel. When you see the Commander, give him my best, and tell him that I expect emailed reports now that he knows what to do!"

"Yes, sir," Mac nodded, and groaned inwardly, realizing that in her enthusiasm she had opened Harm up to a fate worse than death – computer links with his commanding officer! He now had no excuse not to have his work in on time! This was going to take some explaining to Harm! Not to mention telling Mic that she was going offshore for a few days. "Will that be all, sir?" she asked.

"You don't even know what it is you're going to the Sea Hawk for, Colonel. You're in such a hurry to go?"

"I…sir…it's just…I'm sorry, sir. I was thinking…"

"Of Harm?"

"Sir?"

"I asked if you were thinking of the Commander."

"Actually, sir, my thoughts were on what I was going to tell Mic. He's expecting me at some dinner dance affair so that he can drum up business."

"That sounds awfully tacky, Mac."

"Yes, sir, it does. I'm not in the least bit interested in doing business that way. I've already told him…Brumby…Mic," Mac paused, realizing she was making herself look foolish with this stumbling over names. "I've already stated the fact that I'm not there to be used for advertising his business. He tried that already…oh, sir, I'm sorry! That's nothing to do with JAG. I apologize for even raising the point."

"Not a problem, Mac. However, I trust that you will advise if you need any assistance with Mr Brumby. He may not be in the Navy any longer, or under my jurisdiction, but I have absolutely no problem in dealing with his indiscretions."

"Thank you, Admiral, I appreciate that." Mac smiled. "When do I leave for the Sea Hawk?"

"Later today. Your reason for being on board is TAD as on board JAG until theirs returns from emergency leave. It should take about as long as it does for the Commander to complete his quals, so you can travel back together."

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Dismissed."

Mac turned on her heel and headed to the right, moving to open the door just as Mic Brumby tried to enter the Admiral's office.

"Mic! What are you doing here? I didn't know you were going to be in to see the Admiral today."

"I'm here to ask why you're being sent to the Sea Hawk. It should be Roberts' job, or even Rabb's. He's already out there."

"Mic, please, this is not the place for this!" Mac was obviously embarrassed by Brumby's actions, or so the Admiral thought, as he came to the entrance of his office and queried Mic's actions.

"Brumby? What do you think you're doing? I already have one senior JAG out on TAD, and I now need a second. That, by rank, is the Colonel. If that doesn't fit into your plans, I suggest you go away and rethink your plans."

"I'm not in your Navy, Admiral, and I don't answer to you anymore either so this has nothing to do with you!"

"Mic!" Mac could not believe the rudeness of the man, and her eyes went from Mic to the Admiral, who reassured her with a faint smile and a nod. As Brumby saw this interchange he scowled, and swore.

"You may not be in my Navy, Brumby, or in any man's Navy for that matter, but that does not excuse your loutish behavior, and your foul mouth. If you won't leave this office under your own steam, I'll have you escorted out!"

"Try it, Admiral. I'll have your backside in court so damn fast…!"

"Mic, that's enough!" Mac turned on the man beside her, and even the Admiral had to stand back in the face of her anger. "I want you to leave, now! This…this attitude of yours is getting out of hand. I didn't ask you to leave the Navy, Mic, and if you can't handle being a civilian, maybe you should go back to Australia and take up your commission again. In the meantime, you will not keep coming into this office and hassling me and my colleagues. Do I make myself clear?"

"Oh, like crystal, Sarah. Like crystal. As always." Mic turned on his heel and walked out of the Admiral's office, across the bullpen and out towards the elevators without breaking stride, or waiting for Mac. As he turned at the elevators, expecting her to be behind him, his face wore a surprised expression to find she was still standing beside the Admiral, watching him leave.

"Sir, I can't apologize enough…"

"Mac, it isn't you that should be apologizing. I expect nothing from you but your best, and your best right now is to get on your way to the Sea Hawk. If Brumby shows his face again, he'll be held downstairs until such time as I think fit to see him."

"Thank you, sir."

"Do you want an escort down to the car, in case he's waiting outside?"

"No, sir, I'll be fine. If he is there, I'll talk to him. If not, I'll be on my way."

"Do you have anything that needs checking at your apartment?"

"Not necessary, sir. I have let Jingo go to Chloe for a few weeks – she has a break from school right now, and she loves having him over. The rest can be sorted when I get back."

"Very well, dismissed. Oh, by the way, does the Commander know you're coming out?"

"I…I presumed you would have informed him, sir…"

"Nah, I forgot. So, he'll be surprised!" The Admiral gave one of his rare 'I'm feeling quite pleased with myself' smiles, and Mac couldn't help but smile back.

"Yes, sir, he will."


tbc