Okie Dokie gang, here's part... 13. I spent several hours yesterday working on 14 and 15. I needed to do a little research for part 15, which, I think makes the chapter very cool. I might have to split it when posting, but we'll see, there are a few things to add.
Story three is called "The Thin Line" and it will follow along with these two stories. I am not sure of it's length, but the way it's outlined it looks like a 10-12 chapter story. Depending on where we are with the JAG season after it finishes, I'll either start posting "Getting Away With Murder" which is an AU H/M story or "Return To Me" which is a story that would pick up wherever this finale ends. Also an H/M story which would take place 3 years after the finale. Ironically enough, I started writing that either last summer or very early this season, before we knew much of what was going to happen and still, it works well. Weird how that happens. ;) Thre is also a smut story I work on on and off which is going to be an interesting little story in Mac's POV. – Obviously I can't post it here, but I'll let you guys know and you can e-mail me about it.
Okie so, here we go :) - This part is sorta fillerish/informativish. It gets better I promise!
Jackie
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, Lt.jgMegAustin, cbw, dansingwolf, Apion, alix33, jnp, MacHarm4Ever, Tania, Macaroon, harmfan, Jagnut, Claire Vincent, Navy Babe, Nix, Martini, jaggurl, Laura, CoolCat, sunnysky, smithknk, mjag, FoxyWombat, carbygirl, moonlight, socgrl, NinjaTurtle, Sunny, kristie, mjag. Aserene, Dessler, moonlight, southernqt, LiseGirardi, Jade and anyone else I missed for the Feedback
Part 13 – Away From Me
0300 Zulu
North East Of Corner Brook
Newfoundland, Canada
"Harm, I'm sorry." She said with a frown. Mac wouldn't have been caught had she been paying more attention to her surroundings. But no, she was much too preoccupied with him and the guard that had nearly discovered him hiding in the brush. Another guard had snuck up behind her, one that she probably could have gotten the drop on. It was a bad move for a Marine. But, to be fair, for all of the training that she had and even as good as she was, this wasn't what she made a career out of. The man had grabbed her, taken her down this path that lead directly to the compound. There, she was handed to Temir who had known, all along, that the pair was there. He had equipment set up all around them and even on the mountain tops high above because he didn't like surprises.
Harm stood there thunderstruck his face ashen. "Let her go. . .It's me you want."
Temir chuckled. "Funny how compliant you become when I hold someone you care for. . .perhaps we should have sent for Colonel MacKenzie while you were still one of our favorite residents?" He tightened his grip on Mac, something that apparently caused her some pain.
"I thought you are taught not to harm women, or does Allah allow you to pick and chose which female to hurt?" He was bidding for time, or a least trying to find away to get her out of this disaster, but all he had done was anger the man more.
"Your attempts to educate me on my own religion are pathetic, Commander." With a sigh, he let go of Mac, thrusting her towards Harm who caught her. There was something he noticed right off, something that others hadn't, but Temir was much more astute than other capturers. 'You speak Farsi.' He said in the Persian language knowing he wasn't wrong about her.
Mac looked over at Harm then at Temir. 'Yes, I am fluent in Farsi.'
'You are not just fluent, Colonel, you have family that is Iranian, yes?' He noticed it in the color of her skin, the shape of her face and eyes. Mac had an otherworldly look about her, but clearly had American blood through her veins as well. Exotic would be the word to describe her and Temir was growing fond of the woman with each breath he took. 'You are afraid to answer, but I promise I will not hurt you. . .Torture is not the only thing we believe in.' Snapping his fingers he pointed to his men then to Harm and Mac as he instructed them in Farsi, 'Take them to the cabin, make sure they are both unharmed.' Turning he looked at Mac and smiled. 'Just make sure your Commander doesn't attempt sometime stupid again because, I assure you, I am not always this charitable. I am sure he could tell you some stories that will, surely, disturb you.'
That he had and it was far past disturbing. Mac bit her tongue from saying anything that would anger Temir, he gave her an opening, a small opening, but maybe she could use her newfound information to manipulate things in their favor. Temir's men were uncharacteristically gentle on both Harm and Mac as they led them through the compound towards the cabin. Two other men carried a cot each which were placed inside of the cabin along with Harm and Mac.
When they were completely alone, Harm turned to Mac. "What was all of that about? Out there?" He understood very few words in Farsi, and the words he did understand were ones that were used daily when he was kept there a month ago.
Mac stepped over to one of the cots and sat down, threading her fingers together. "I think he's attracted to me." She said simply as she tried to conjure up some idea as to how she could use that little tidbit.
That was news? "Yea, well, so is every other man who's laid eyes on you, but what else happened?"
"He said he wouldn't hurt me. . ." Chewing on her lower lip, Mac scanned the cabin, then set her eyes back on him. "Harm, maybe I can use that?"
"Use that how?"
Mac knew what she had to do, it was simple really, a means to survive. It was what she did with Sadik in order to get through it all. "To get close to him."
His eyes went wide with shock. They'd nearly gone through that trick almost a day earlier with Steele, what made her think he was going to risk it again? Out of their own volition, his legs made him pace around the cabin. "Oh no, no you aren't going to do that. . .No."
"Harm it could work and he won't hurt me. . ." Mac stood up and walked in front of Harm, stopping him from pacing and forcing him to look at her. "They aren't in it for sex. . . it's a control thing, Sadik had the same sick want. . .to control me. . .but, he was attracted to me at the same time. . .so it becomes a game, a struggle to see if they can control you without giving into the want."
As a man who desired her how he did, Harm knew all about control and the lack there of. Sure, he'd spent years controlling his want of her, but these men had no agenda, they didn't care and would just as easily use her body then kill her and that is what he was afraid of. "And what if he gives into it? . . .What then?"
"He won't." She replied with a confidence that she did feel. Mac knew how these men operated and women were a lower life form, she would use that to her advantage.
"You're too sure of yourself."
"It's a way to buy time, or at least a way for both of us to work on getting out of here with the Aurora's. . .I heard his men speaking. . .They are planning to attack Stateside, Harm. . ."
That caught his attention. As much as he wanted and needed to protect this woman, as officers they both had an obligation to their Country. With a frown, Harm sat on one of the cots. "I don't want to let you do this, but. . .be careful."
Mac lowered herself next to him and threaded her fingers through his. She brought his hand up and kissed his palm as her eyes locked onto his own. "I promise, but you have to do the same."
"Let's get some rest, we'll need it." Harm stood and pushed their cots together. Laying down, he wrapped his arms around her, brining their bodies together. There was no way in hell they were going to take her from him tonight. It had happened, too many times, that he'd been sleeping when one of the men that were locked up with him were taken. Often, he would awake to find himself either alone or with one less comrade to commiserate with. He felt Mac's breathing slow and knew she was falling asleep, apparently she was more exhausted than had let on. This gave Harm some time alone with his thoughts.
Everything he feared from before was happening now. He didn't want to be back in this hell if he ever made it out. Worst of all, he didn't want her here with him and now, that was a reality. In the depths of his mind, he could still hear the men being tortured, Andy Watson's screams as they held the steel wool to his body. He could still feel his lungs fighting for a breath as his head was held under putrid water. And the woman, he still remembered the woman that rescued him.
1302 Zulu
CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia
("He's here, with the woman." Temir's voice said over the line with a pleasant tone that Levine hadn't quite heard in a long, long time.)
But, there was something in his statement that rattled him. "The woman is alive?" So Rabb had tossed in a ruse, probably as a way to have MacKenzie keep watch over everything. "Commander Rabb had told me she was dead. . .Have your people found Major Steele?"
(Temir sighed, recovering Steele's body wasn't exactly high in his agenda. As much as he knew he had needed someone of Steele's talents, the way the man acted unnerved him. "Yes, my men have brought the body back, we'll find a way to send it to you." He rolled his eyes in annoyance, unfortunately, he needed to deal with Levine and if sending Steele's body back could keep peace between the two men, then he'd do that.)
Raymond was having trouble adjusting to the idea that his nephew was gone. He'd promised to look after the Major, he wanted so much for him to join the CIA and keep the family tradition, but Rabb and MacKenzie had destroyed his chances and now it was time for payback. "When Rabb finishes with your people, I want you to finish with him and MacKenzie. . .But I want them to suffer first, slow and painfully."
("As you wish, now, I must go. We have one more convoy to attack. May Allah be with you and your family." Temir hung up abruptly.)
Maybe they'd bitten off a bit more than they could chew? Maybe hiring terrorists to do his dirty work was a bit too ambitious. But, really, it was too well thought out for there to be so many mistakes. Of course, when Webb had requested Rabb for the job, it had come with a warning that the man was tenacious as hell and unwilling to quit. "And the morons cut him loose. . ." Under different circumstances, Rabb would have been his perfect secret agent and with some superior training, the perfect weapon.
1312 Zulu
North East Of Corner Brook
Newfoundland, Canada
"Where is she? Damnit! Where is she?" Harm stood by the window, yelling out to anyone that passed by. He remembered going to sleep with Mac in his arms but when he woke up she was no where to be found. Getting no answer, he began to pace the cabin, trying to figure it all out. True, he'd always been a heavy sleeper, but Harm was sure, with the high tension of the situation, that he'd feel someone taking her away from him. In the position they were sleeping – with his arm and leg draped over her – it was a little bit difficult for someone to run off with her and him not notice.
Then again, what if she was never there? Sadly, he sat down, his head falling into his hands. "Oh God, I am losing it aren't I?" What if it was all a dream, his escape, his being with her. What if he had always been in Temir's compound and Mac was tucked away safely in Washington. He didn't know which scenario he liked better, but if it meant that she would remain safe, he'd pick the latter.
But, she was there, only a few cabins over, seated on the floor along with Khadija, the woman who had helped Harm escape. The moment one of Temir's men had forced her to walk into the cabin, Mac knew who the woman was from the description Harm gave of her when talking about his past here.
"Khadija?" She whispered to the woman who seemed to turn away in disgust as Mac tried to converse with her. But, the Marine was vehement to start some conversation, herein may lie their way to freedom. "I know who you are, Khadija. The Commander, Harm?" She nodded when the woman turned to look at her. "He spoke of you. . .I know you helped him and I thank you."
The look of disdain didn't leave the woman even as she nodded and spoke. "You Mac, yes?"
Mac nodded. "Yes, it's short for my surname – MacKenzie. My first name is really Sarah."
Khadija shook her head, she would never understand these strange American's and their need for pet names. A name was a symbol of who you were, it was not meant to be chopped up. "He. Harm, he call you very much times. . . He dream many much times." Many a night she would spend watching the men, as she was one of the few that understood English. They had found that often, in dreams, the men would relay certain information that was needed, but Harm, on the other hand, always spoke of one thing and one thing only: Mac.
She really didn't know what to make of that or what to say. By the look in Khadija's eyes, Mac knew she was jealous. "Harm is a good man, I thank you for helping him." She repeated her thanks in Farsi which had the other woman's perception of her change rather quickly. At the woman's registered look of shock, Mac smiled slightly. "My grandmother was Iranian."
Temir cut all other conversation as he walked into the room flanked by two men with guns. He told them to move outside and keep guard as he was going to be busy for sometime. With the most charming smile that he could find, he settled himself on the floor with the two women. "Colonel, are you enjoying your stay?"
Mac shrugged and nodded to the outside. "Except for the bad weather and a mattress that has seemed to cause pain to every part of my spinal column, it hasn't been too unpleasant."
"Good, I'd be disappointed if it was." He clapped his hands and from the back end of the cabin came three men all carrying fresh food for them to eat: fruits, bread and some sort of liquid resembling coffee. "Serve me my tea, Colonel."
Ah, so it was tea, yes of course, they wouldn't be drinking coffee. Something about all of that was familiar. Yes, of course, Sadik. He too wanted her to be a good Persian woman, serving the man his tea, knowing that because she was born a girl, she was more than just second place in their world; she was basically non-existent. In a slow movement, she took the pot and poured tea for Temir then some for Khadija and then herself. Until he was settled, she did as Temir commanded, feeling like a slave. He'd even requested for her to feed him, which she did with baited breath. By the way he was looking at her, she knew he was just like Sadik, letting the want of desire keep him close to giving into her. Another game was about to begin.
In Arabic, Temir said to Khadija, 'Go, leave me alone with the woman.'
Mac could tell, by the look of disapproval in the woman's eyes that she was a little more than just another servant. No, it was clear to Mac that the woman was his wife. She pretended not to understand the language, her brow furling as Temir and Khadija argued back and forth. The quarrel ended when Temir struck Khadija with the back of his hand. 'Insolent woman! I told you to go!' At the sight of violence, Mac curled herself into a corner, something that she hadn't done since she was a child.
Temir glanced at her and sighed noting the look of fear in her eyes. "I am sorry, Colonel. . .But some women need to be educated." He offered his hand to her, helping her move back to the small table where they were seated. "You may eat now."
Slowly, she did as told, but always kept an eye on Temir. He was looking at her like a man in love, it as practically the same looks Harm would give her ever since they'd become intimate. The whole thing was unnerving and more than a little irritating. Still, she had her meal of fresh fruits managing, when Temir had ventured outside to speak to his men, to steal some for Harm.
Bit and pieces of the conversation she deciphered. As far as she could understand, they had a little less than a week to get things going. It was Temir's intent to use her as a way to get Harm to fly the Aurora during the 'missions.' When one of the men directly asked about Mac, Temir responded that she was not to be harmed, it was possible that she would be turned to fight for Allah.
Mac snorted at the notion. "Over my dead body." She whispered.
In his cabin, Harm was laying in the cot, refusing to eat the disgusting food they had brought him. It wouldn't be too long now before they took him to the torture room and started him back on the morphine. Everything he'd gone through at Mac's apartment had been for naught. "Please, please don't let him hurt her." He said softly, his body shivering at the thoughts of what sort of things they would do to her.
It was then that he heard the locks of the door open and immediately he was sitting up. He expected the worst, to have Mac dragged in a bloody and tortured mess as he'd seen Andy and the other captives. But, another woman, this one familiar to him, walked into the room. "Khadija." He said, surprised that she was still among the living. After his escape, he'd figured she would have been killed, even tortured. But as he saw the young woman enter the cabin, he found her to be alive and well. "I thought you'd be killed?" She looked sickly, obviously the disease she confessed to having was wreaking havoc on her body. But, at some point, he deduced, that she would have been a very beautiful woman.
"No. . .They no believe me free you." She said in that familiar broken English that he'd come to enjoy during his time in captivity. "The woman. .. pretty." Her eyes lowered down in shamed.
Harm's eyes grew wide, she knew about Mac. "Is she. . .Where is she?"
"Woman with Temir." She said and Harm noticed a flash of what seemed to be jealousy in the woman's eyes. "Temir like woman."
"Is she alright?" When he noted that she wasn't too sure what he had said, Harm searched for a different term. "Hurt? Is the woman hurt?"
Khadija shook her head. "No, she okay."
"Good. . .Good." He breathed a sigh of relief, but knew that it really didn't matter how safe she was at the time. They would use her against him, he was damned sure of that. And when they were done, just as with the others, he feared they would end her life. Worse, would they force him to end her life? Closing his eyes, Harm envisioned Mac tied up and hanging from her wrists, her body a mere shell of what it used to be. She was begging him, just like Andy Watson did; begging him to end her life. "I can't do that to her." He said out loud as a tear ran down his cheek. "Please, help me, Khadija, help us."
Mac had finished the fruit and sat by, waiting for Temir in order for her to return back to Harm. She wanted to stand, to pace, to do something other than sit and wait, but she knew better. Men like Temir didn't allow for women to do things without their request. She was scared, yes, but if she acted more scared than she really was, then maybe she could use it to their advantage.
With a sigh, she thought about Harm and how worried he must be about her. She only hoped that Temir had kept his promise of earlier that moment when he went to get her. The deal was for Mac to have breakfast with him and as a result, Harm would remain untouched. It was a sacrifice that she made without hesitation or reservation – she would keep him safe.
Temir returned ten minutes later, Mac deduced with her internal clock, he was wearing something of a somber look which quickly turned into a smile as his eyes met her own. "I hope you had your fill, Colonel."
Mac nodded. "It was very good, thank you. . .But, I would like to go back to my friend now. I am sure he is worried about me."
"Do not worry about him, Khadija is keeping him company." He settled himself across from Mac and looked her over as he had done before. Every look that he gave, every smile and even his attempts at being courteous were nauseating for her. She wanted nothing to do with this man. But, Temir had a different opinion. In the Colonel he saw a strong woman, one that could lead with him. One who, by having some sort of Persian blood, could be turned to completely follow visions of terror with the grace of Allah.
First, he needed to change her clothing, women were not supposed to dress in anything but an abaya. Though he wouldn't request for her wear a niqab, that would veil her face. But she would have to wear a shayla, Mac's hair would certainly need to be covered. "I see your friend means a great deal to you. . .If you want to go back, then you must change. Women should not wear such terrible clothing." He was referring to her semi-tight jeans. "You do not need to cover your face or your hair when with me, but outside, with the others, you need to behave like a good woman should."
Mac was tempted to tell him where he could shove all of his crap about being a good woman. Just like Sadik, he was treating her as if she were a nothing from their country. As much as she praised her heritage, for Sarah MacKenzie, nothing made her feel so insignificant than the ways that men were allowed to treat their women. Still, she conceded, there was nothing else she could do. "Yes." It was a simple word, not followed by sir or master or any other words that she'd heard women repeat. Just, "Yes."
"Good." Pleased, Temir walked into a room in the back and brought out one of Khadija's abayas and headdress. He placed them on the table in front of Mac and urged her with his eyes to change. "There is no modesty here Colonel, we are alone."
The clothing quickly came off of Mac and soon she stood before the man in only a long sleeved t-shirt and underwear. "I get cold easily. I would like permission to keep this on." She touched the t-shirt, unwilling to pull it over and allow him to see much more of her naked flesh, but when she saw the disapproving look on Temir, she realized that this wasn't a Sadik Fahd she was dealing with. This wasn't a man who truly was uninterested as her in a woman. No, Temir had the look of a man who wanted to see his 'prize' and make sure he got what he paid for. With a sigh of regret, she tossed the shirt into a pile then reached for the abaya.
Temir's hand darted out, stopping her movements as three different colored, shiny, metal objects caught his eye. Between Mac's breasts dangled her dog tags and the gold band Trish had given her. The same gold band Harm had promised to put on her finger once they were home and safe. Standing, Temir walked purposefully towards Mac, and pulled the chain over her head. He stared at the dog tag information, frowning at the sight that in her personal life, Mac considered herself to be a Catholic. Or so, the dog tags said. Next to one of the tags, he found the ring, which he stared at for an even longer time. It wasn't just a family heirloom, he deduced. Things like that were either left at home or worn. No, where she had the ring, so close to her heart, could only mean one thing. "You are betrothed?"
Mac shook her head. "No, the man who gave me that died." She wasn't lying per se. Technically speaking, Commander Harmon Rabb Junior was dead and even had a tombstone in Arlington to prove it. Despite herself, she glanced pleadingly at her captor. "Please, don't take that away from me. . .You can keep that tags, but please, don't take that ring away from me."
Overwhelmed with jealousy, he struck Mac on the same cheek she'd already had bruised from their tango with the mountain folk. But, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of crying out in pain. You wouldn't have known how much it hurt her if it wasn't for an audible hiss. Still, ever the proud Marine, she stood up to her full height as the look in her eyes changed from frightened to angered. Temir would have hit her again, but figured there would be a better way to hurt her, a punishment that was worse than physical pain. He dangled the dog tags in front of her and with a sick smile, slid them into his breast pocket. "If he is dead, then you do not need the ring anymore. ..memories should be enough." Taking the abaya and shayla, he threw them at her then turned to leave as he threw over his shoulder. "Finish dressing, Colonel, then, I might just reunite you with your friend."
Xblue – Shh! Okay, but but… it's fun to be violent and let people know. Well, unless people are cops, then… well, I'd be arrested with no computers and you guys wouldn't have a story… yup, good point about keeping my mouth shut:x
Martini – Oh, they'll have peace, eventually, but not for too long, the third story something mean happens. No character death for the dynamic dou, but it's screwy. I am working it not to be so soap operaish.
Tina – Yup, I know all about and puter possessions. Ffnet is on crack half of the time over here, chapters don't show up. It doesn't let me log on. I've tried a séance, but I think all it did was piss off the internet spirits a little more. Woops! - As for the Harm clones, we got them, any preference on the style of hair? (You know he's had a few different ones ;))
Beccy - I don't kid! I do dramatize and clifferize (is that even a word?) a lot, but I don't kid. Well, yea I do, I am like a class clown, but… no, really, yea, Temir has them both now MUAHAAAAAAA!
Dansing – Yup, woman got caught cos she was too worried about Harm to worry about herself. Stupid maybe, but I wouldn't be surprised. Hehe. As for VicPuke, I don't have a problem with the actor, I saw him once or twice on the soaps, he's not a bad kid and deserves a shot at the big times, but the writers are smoking some serious crack. Fine, they want to replace Harm, but wtf is this with him and Mac? Did they forget to have a little convo with the military consultant about how to appropriately address a senior officer? I don't think they'll make him another Harm in respect to Harm and Mac because of the rank, but they are pushing things a bit much.
LtJg – I might need palmer so kill him, revive him and send him over to my world. ;)
Southern – Nah, I'm a vampire (or I role play one) who apparently, can't die. LOL! And you guys don't need to torture me! I'm getting enough torture just watching JAG on Fridays… Wait, no, that's not JAG. . .it has the same actors but it's not JAG. ;)
Cristina – Some violence is good. Chris had it coming, big time. ;) As for Vicpuke, I really wouldn't mind Mac pulling a move like she did on Chris. Now, who's violent. ;)
LiseGirardi - If you ever learn anything from me, it's one thing: I love cliffhangers almost as much as I love coffee. Hmm… okay yup, I need a mug! ;)
NinjaTurtle – Uh huh, so when you get pulled out of class it'll be my fault right! Right! Cool! Tell the peeps in class I say 'yo! Wassap?' Or as us Latino folk say all the time lately "Oye! Que vola!" ;)
NK – Temir the Terrorist ;) I finally gave him a full name btw, which I realized he didn't have. He's always been just "Temir" It'll come up I the… last? No… chapter before last - Temir Ayaz Muhammad Savrai – I asked him if Temir the Terrorist was good for him, and he went off on me about it needing to be more ethnic, characters! Go figure!
Carby – Neither was I, ready for the ending I mean. That part and the ending of the story has been debated forever. Originally, I was just going to have Harm rush in with Mac and take the planes while under heavy fire. . .but I figured that would be too damned easy. And nothing about this story or in JAG, in general, is easy for them. Why break that? ;P
Moonlight – I promise, he won't torture Mac. He doesn't want to he actually just has the hots for her. Temir I mean.
JTB – Thre are a few people that like the actor, not the character. Sometimes I wonder if the writers have ever seen a show? Well, I know the answer to that – No, I have the script for a few episodes (old episodes) and some of the parts written are like against things that have to do with Harm and Mac. I thik, for the last two seasons DPB has been writing all the stories himself, which account for the crap going on in the screen. I ask, what was the point of 4 percent solution?
Froggy – Get acrylics! ;) Soon! You're going to need them for the next one. ;)
Harmfan – She was too preoccupied with the guys who nearly caught Harm, that's how. Levine's demise is going to approach, I can't kill him off yet, because if I do, we won't have him blabbing to certain people about what he did. Don't forget the information Bud, Gordon and Sturgis have isn't exactly enough. ;)
