Title : The Return

Author : Jaggie 107

Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.

Rating : G to PG-13 (Just in case!)

Summary : An alternative start to Adrift II when Harm is brought to the hospital.


Comments : I have had numerous encouraging reviews, thank you all. You are my inspiration to continue.

JAG Headquarters – Admiral's Office

"Commander, welcome back. A little earlier than planned, but good to see you nonetheless."

"Thank you, sir," acknowledged Harm, leaning heavily on his walking stick. It had been a rough day, and not quite what his doctor had ordered for his first day out of hospital. Both the Admiral and Bud saw Harm stagger a little as he held onto Renee Petersen's elbow. While the Admiral went to assist Harm, Bud took hold of Renee's other elbow.

"Don't…let her…out of your sight…" Harm muttered, releasing Renee's arm as he let the Admiral guide him to a chair. The Admiral glanced from Harm to the woman who was scowling at everyone, but not making any move to free herself.

"What's going on, Harm?"

"Sir, Miss Petersen knows where Mac is, or at least something about what is going on. I believe she and Mic arranged this 'disappearance'." Bud spoke up for Harm, who was trying to recoup his energy. On the ride back to JAG Harm had told Bud everything Renee had told him. Chegwidden turned his gaze on Renee, and she flinched at the expression on his face.

"Ma'am, I don't take kindly to my officers being threatened, by anyone. I want to know everything about your little plan with Brumby, and I mean everything! "

"Mic won't hurt her. He just wanted the chance to talk to her alone."

"To do what?" asked Chegwidden.

"To see her one more time before he left. He and I…we're going…" Renee began, but Harm cut her words off.

"You think Mic wants you ?"

Renee nodded.

"We talked about it. He's packing up here and coming across to the West Coast with me." Turning to look straight at Harm, she gave a strange smile. "You know, Harm, all those times that you and Mac…that you were away on cases, Mic and I did a lot of talking together."

"I just bet you did," returned Harm, in a quiet voice. Renee sneered at him and was just about to speak again.

Just at that moment, Tiner entered the Admiral's office.

"Sir, I've found the SUV! It's at a motel, near the airport."

"The airport!" Both Harm and Renee spoke up together, both in surprise, both for different reasons.

Harm was now sure that Brumby was planning something involving taking Mac out of the country. Renee, however, still believed that she and Mic had a future together. However, doubts were forming in her mind over just why he was at a motel and not in the apartment he had leased a few weeks earlier.

"Thank you, Tiner," acknowledged Chegwidden. He then spoke to Bud, telling him to go with Tiner and check out the motel, and the SUV. Harm tried to get to his feet, to go with them. "Whoa there, Harm."

"I need to be there, sir…" Harm began, but slumped back as his legs buckled.

"Not yet you don't. Bud and Tiner can check out the motel, speak to the desk clerk, find out exactly where Brumby is. Once they've done that, I will take you out to the motel myself."

Harm looked in surprise at his commanding officer, and then nodded.

"Thank you, sir."

"I need the bathroom," Renee called out, and the four men in the room all turned to look at her. Chegwidden looked across at Bud as he spoke again.

"Lieutenant, ask Lieutenant Sims to accompany Miss Petersen, would you? I don't want her out of sight until we find Colonel Mackenzie."

"Of course, sir." Bud went in search of Harriet, and didn't have to go far. Harriet was just outside Tiner's office, listening. As Bud appeared she nodded her head.

"Not a problem." Harriet waited for Renee to appear, and then followed her to the bathroom, as instructed.

"Are you going to follow me in to the stall too?" sneered Renee, but Harriet stood her ground.

"No, ma'am. I'll wait right here."

"You know, Harriet, I actually thought you and I could be friends. Guess I was wrong, huh?"

"Absolutely, ma'am."

"Ooh!" Renee pushed open a stall door and slammed it behind her, pushing the lock home with a screech. When she had finished she came out and washed her hands, and all the time Harriet watched her in silence. Once her hands were dried, Harriet escorted Renee back to the Admiral's office.

"Ah, you're back. Have a seat, Miss Petersen. This is going to take time."

Renee glared at Chegwidden, ignored Harm, and took a seat in the far corner of the office. Harm, however, looked over at her.

"Harm? What is it?" Chegwidden's voice brought his mind back to the present.

"Uh? Oh, sorry, Admiral. I was just thinking…"

"About?"

"Mic could be crazy enough to try and get Mac out of the country with him."

"I've told you already, Mic is coming to California with me. He just wanted to see Mac alone."

"I've often wondered what went on inside your head, Renee, but even I can't believe you're this gullible! Mic is using you…to distract us! Sir, he's probably already at the airport!"

"Lieutenant Sims, call the major airports for me, and find the first available flight to Australia. They may not give you any information on passengers, but by God, they'll give it to me!"

"Yes, sir." Harriet walked back into Tiner's office and used the telephone on his desk. Dialling a number she remembered, she got straight through to the Qantas airline desk. When Mic and Mac's wedding preparations were still in full swing, Harriet had done the bookings for the honeymoon flight to Australia. A sudden thought hit Harriet, and she smiled as she waited for the automated voice to end and a human one to emerge.

"Qantas desk. Can I help you?"

"Hi, my name is Harriet Roberts. I'm matron of honor for my friend, Sarah, and I just need to confirm the booking for her flight to Sydney with her husband, or rather husband-to-be!"

"What name would that be under, Mrs Roberts?"

"Brumby. Mr and Mrs Michael Brumby." Harriet crossed her fingers and closed her eyes as she waited for confrmation of her idea. When the representative came back on the line, with a positive response, it was all Harriet could do not to squeal in delight. "Thank you," she called into the handset, and then replaced the telephone, turning to walk back into the Admiral's office. Chegwidden looked up as she appeared at his door.

"Lieutenant?"

"Mic didn't change his booking, sir. The original booking still stands as Mr and Mrs Brumby, traveling to Sydney. The flight leaves late this afternoon, sir."

"Well done, Harriet. Thank you. So, Commander, are you up to a trip to the airport now?"

"Absolutely, sir." Harm got to his feet unaided, fuelled by sheer adrenaline. He knew that later he would probably crash out for a long while, but right now his aim was to rescue Mac from Brumby, whatever it took. Giving Harriet a quick smile, she nodded in return. Both of them looked at Chegwidden as he spoke again.

"Call Tiner and tell him about the airport. Let them find out what they can at the motel. If Brumby is still there, don't spook him."

"Yes, sir."


TBC