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Part 11

JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA 1035 Local

Harm couldn't help the small smile of satisfaction as he felt Mac slowly relax under his ministrations. She'd been so tense, and no wonder; leave it to Mac to somehow feel responsible for some nut running around shooting up the landscape. He thought over what she'd told him. It was a helluva coincidence but that was all it was. It had to be. He frowned a little, remembering something else, "Hey Mac?"

"Hmmmm?"

She didn't really sound like she was listening. He stopped the massage and grinned a little at the low grumble of protest, "Mac? Are you paying attention?"

"Yeah... yes, what? Did you have to stop?"

"Yes, my fingers were starting to cramp." Harm swung around so he could sit on the corner of her desk, "Aren't you supposed to be with Whatshername the Politician in the mornings?" While he could understand the importance of what they were trying to accomplish, Harm halfway wished someone other than Mac had caught the Congresswoman's eye. God knew she was eminently qualified - as a lawyer as well as a survivor, but the last thing Sarah MacKenzie needed in her life was more stress. She took these things too much to heart.

Mac leaned back in her chair, rolling her shoulders a bit. She was more than willing to change the subject now that Harm had allayed some of her worst fears, "Her secretary called, there was a scheduling snafu and she had to go to some fund-raising brunch. We'll pick up again tomorrow morning."

"How's it going?" What he wanted to ask was whether she was obsessing about any of the cases she was reviewing but after her reaction to Kate Todd's case, even he realized that would be a mistake. Harm figured he'd stick to more general questions.

"Slow," Mac shrugged. "Right now, it's a matter of assembling and uploading information into a database. Fortunately, the staffers are doing most of the grunt work. Mike's put together a program that will take the raw data and put it in about a million categories: Number of 911 calls, responses and actions taken - or not; family statistics; geographical location; civilian and military breakdowns... it's pretty impressive. Bud would be fascinated. I just nod my head and try to look intelligent while Mike explains all the nuts and bolts. Once everything's entered, we'll be able to pull statistics, individual case files, identify trends and run comparisons between civilian and military families."

"That does sound impressive." Harm hesitated a moment and then blurted, "Who's Mike?" Almost immediately, he cringed a little, that didn't come out the way he'd intended.

Mac gave him an expressionless stare for a couple of seconds before relenting with a smile. There were certain Rabb traits that were as predictable as the sunrise. "Mike," she said carefully, "is Congresswoman Michelle Elbert."

His eyebrows rose in surprise, "Congresswoman Elbert designed the computer program?"

"Ye-es," Mac said the word slowly. "Why? Are you surprised that a woman could be a computer geek?" It wasn't often that she could tweak Harm about male chauvinistic tendencies. Aside from his over-protective streak, he was actually pretty fair-minded.

Harm grinned at her, refusing to take the bait, "I'm surprised that a politician could be a computer geek. I thought they were only good at double-talk and spending money."

Mac chuckled, "She's pretty good at that, too."

"Ahhh... a renaissance politician," Harm said gravely and then smiled again, "I might just have to meet this paragon of Capitol Hill."

"I imagine that can be arranged." Mac moved up to her desk once more, "Okay, Mr. Magic Fingers, as much as I'd like to keep you in here all day, I have work to do and so do you."

"Okay, okay, I'm going," Harm stood up and headed for the door. Pausing at the doorway, he remembered his original quest and turned back around, "Hey Mac?"

She propped her chin on her hand and smiled at him, "Now what?"

"Could we get together for lunch this afternoon? I need some advice about handling Mattie and her behavior lately."

Mac gave him a surprised look and then nodded, "Sure, just give me a yell when you're ready." After he left, she continued to stare out the door for a few seconds. Would wonders ever cease? It seemed that Harmon Rabb, Jr. occasionally did have a clue. Smiling to herself, she went back to work.

NCIS Washington, D.C.
1155 Local

"You did what?!?" Gibbs wheeled around so fast that Kate took an inadvertent step backwards and collided with Ducky. Abby looked up from her computer at the commotion.

The Doctor put a hand out to steady Kate, waving off her muttered apology while raising an eyebrow at Gibbs, "Calm down, Jethro, and let the woman speak."

"I am calm," Gibbs folded his arms and glared indiscriminately around the room. Abby grinned impudently back at him.

Kate took a deep breath, "I said that there's been another killing and I've asked Colonel MacKenzie to give me a hand."

"So you're telling me you can't handle this investigation?" His voice grew deceptively quiet.

The brunette flushed, "No, I'm saying that the shooter is escalating his attacks and I'll take whatever help I can get. Mac's willing, she's one of JAG's best investigators and she's already familiar with the case."

"I don't give a tinker's damn about her investigative standing in JAG! This is our case! If you needed help, you should have asked DiNozzo or called in McGhee."

Kate snorted, "Tony's already juggling enough cases as it is and McGhee doesn't have enough experience in field work. I need someone that I don't have to lead by the hand and that you're not going to be sending out every fifteen minutes." She refrained from mentioning that asking Tony for anything tended to make him even more insufferable than he normally was. Under ordinary circumstances, Kate didn't mind the constant bickering as they played their oneupmanship game but this case was making her crazy. DiNozzo was a distraction she didn't need and McGhee would take up time she didn't have.

Gibbs stared at her silently. He hated conceding anything but she had a point. They were all overworked. And now this; what had started out as a simple murder case was growing ever more widespread and complicated. He felt a flash of irritation. As far as he knew, Kate didn't have one solid lead and it wasn't for lack of trying. Dammit, why couldn't they run across a stupid serial killer? Just once? He exhaled heavily, "Fine, use Col. MacKenzie." He turned on his heel and walked out, glancing over his shoulder, "Just remember this is our bust. First sign of poaching and she's outta here."

Tony appeared in the lab right after Gibbs walked out, an amused grin on his face, "So what did you guys do to piss him off so badly? He's got a face on that would curdle cream."

Kate folded her arms, adopting a pose of nonchalance, "What makes you think he's mad at us?"

Tony mimicked her posture, folding his arms as well, while his smile slid into a smirk, "Well, let's see... "

"DINOZZO!" They all jumped as Gibbs' roar filled the corridor and rattled the doors of the lab. "GET OUT HERE! NOW!"

Shoulders hunched against the next incoming wave of wrath, Tony shot Kate a petulant look as he headed for the door, "This is NOT fair. I haven't done anything!"

As soon as DiNozzo cleared the lab, Abby turned to Kate, "Wow, that got Gibbs' panties in a wad - does he know this Colonel MacKenzie?"

Kate shrugged, "He told me he met her once during the murder investigation of that JAG lieutenant last year."

Abby brightened, "Oh yeah, the planted evidence. Gibbs hates being reminded of that case." At Kate's curious look, she elaborated, "He screwed up. Went after the wrong guy and almost got him convicted before deciding to dig deeper. Tony and I were able to prove that Commander Rabb had been framed."

"Now Abby," Ducky admonished, "Be fair. Jethro was also in the middle of chasing down an Al-Qaeda cell. I'm still surprised he could keep track of which country he was in."

"Okay, okay," Abby raised her hands. "I wasn't trying to criticize. I heard the Commander was acting pretty squirrelly." She looked back at Kate, "When is Colonel MacKenzie supposed to show up?"

"When she can, I guess. Her CO wasn't any more thrilled with the idea than Gibbs was." Kate gave Abby a pointed look, "I told her I'd call her when I got the ballistics report."

"Oh yeah, right." Abby bustled off to another part of the lab and picked up a file folder, "Here you go, it's a match."

"Thanks." Kate opened it up and started reading. After a few moments, she sighed quietly, "Damn, guess I'd better give Mac a call." She looked up to see Abby and Ducky both watching her. She gave them a weak smile, "If Gibbs asks, would you tell him I'm going back to the Alvaro scene to re-canvass the area? Somebody had to have seen something."

JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA 1217 Local

"Harm, she's jealous," Mac took another bite out of her sandwich.

He stared at her, "Jealous? Why? I mean... She knows I love her... as a daughter, of course. That is... You know I wouldn't... Jeez, Mac!" Harm was practically stuttering. Mattie was jealous? She was just a kid and Mac was a grown woman!

Mac resisted the urge to laugh, seeing Harm completely flummoxed was a rare thing. "Calm down, I know you wouldn't do anything inappropriate. You're her hero, Harm. You paid attention when no one else did and then went the extra mile for her." She tilted her head to one side, "You keep thinking of her as a child, Harm, and she's not. She's a young woman... and I think she has a bit of crush on you."

"What?!" Harm was looking horrified, "But... but..."

"Harm, stop for a minute and listen to me." Mac's voice took on a no-nonsense tone. The last thing she wanted was for Harm to get the bit in his teeth and run amuck with only half the story. "Mattie's a smart kid, she loves you like a father and I'm sure she knows what's right and what's not. I imagine she's feeling confused and a bit guilty so she's channeling it into her protective instincts." Mac sighed and looked down at the table, "She knows I hurt you before and I'm guessing she's determined not to let me do it again. I'm not worthy of your attention and yet here you are, spending time with me when you could be spending it with her." She allowed herself a rueful smile, "She probably thinks you've lost your mind."

"Mac... " Harm fought the urge to squirm uncomfortably. While he hadn't come right out and said anything specific to Mattie about he and Mac and what happened in Paraguay, he hadn't exactly hidden his bitterness either. Mac was right, Mattie was a smart kid. He scrubbed at his jaw. He needed to fix this but how? He looked back over to find her watching him patiently. "God, Mac, I'm sorry about this mess. I'll talk to her and try to explain."

Mac only nodded, refraining from pointing out that Mattie might very well discount anything he said now since he obviously wasn't in his right mind. Too bad there wasn't some way to sit Emma down with the teenager. Her cellphone went off just then. She gave Harm an apologetic look while fishing it out. The ID showed that it was Kate calling. Flipping it open, her eyes met Harm's as she spoke, "Hi Kate, you've got the results? ... uh-huh... Yeah, where are you? ... I don't know, let me see and I'll call you back... Right. Bye." She ended the call and looked back at Harm, "The ballistics were a match. This was our guy."

He gave her a worried look, "What are you planning to do?"

She began gathering the remains of her lunch, "Go talk to the Admiral and see if I can get out a couple hours early. Not working with Elbert today has put me ahead a little bit." She looked up to see him still staring at her, "I'll be okay, Harm. You were right before - this is just a nasty coincidence."

"Maybe I can come with you. I could talk to the Admiral too." Harm didn't like the uneasy feelings he was getting. While he had managed to reassure Mac, it was beginning to have the opposite effect on him. He was starting to have doubts about his glib explanations of coincidence. One thing he hadn't factored in was that Mac was more easily recognizable thanks to that sensationalized case on CourtTV several years ago. Add that to the high-profile cases she'd worked since then and it might not be such a great leap that there was some nut fixating on her.

"Harm... " Mac smiled at him. It was sweet of him to worry but probably not the smartest move. He and the Admiral were still on uncertain ground. "If the Admiral lets me, I'm just going to the scene of the last shooting and help Kate look for witnesses. The only danger I'll be in will be from raising my blood pressure because of frustration. I'll call you tonight when I get home."

"Mac... " Harm hesitated. It certainly wouldn't be a good idea to change gears on her and now tell her that he was concerned. He shook his head, "Never mind, just be careful. Ummm... do you still have those files from Kate's investigation?" When she nodded, he mentally crossed his fingers, "Would you mind if I looked at them? Maybe an extra set of eyes... " He held his breath, hoping Mac would take it as a request to lend a hand and not read anything else into it.

Mac gave him a puzzled look and then shrugged, "Sure, go ahead." She stood up and flashed an easy smile, "Let's go, Navy. It's time to get back to the trenches."

Harm gave her a slightly goofy grin as he took both trays, "I'll have you know the Navy doesn't hang out in trenches. WE have standards."

NCIS Washington, D.C.
1455 Local

Mac followed Kate over to her desk. The canvassing had been as frustrating as she had feared. For one brief moment, it had looked like they'd caught a break. One man remembered seeing a Marine sergeant talking to another person in the parking lot. He thought the Sergeant had dropped something because he knelt down between the cars and the other person had knelt as well. Their witness stopped paying attention after that. He hadn't seen Alvaro or the mystery person stand up again, hadn't heard anything either. Even more frustrating was the description of whom Kate and Mac were sure was the killer: Medium tall, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and pants - both kinda baggy. That was it. For all the physical description they had, the killer could have been from Mars.

"Hey Kate, any luck?" They both turned to see Tony smiling at them.

Kate resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Although DiNozzo was addressing her, his smile was directed solely at Mac. "No, the only guy who saw anything wouldn't recognize the shooter if he fell out of the sky and landed on him."

"Oooo, tough break," Tony's attempt at a sympathetic look was somewhat marred by the fact that he hadn't stopped grinning at Mac. He got up and walked over, finally looking at Kate, "So, is there anything I can do to help?" He glanced at Mac and flashed a brilliant smile, "Hi, I'm Tony... "

"DiNozzo." Mac finished for him, "Yes, I know. We met last year when you and your colleagues were busily attempting to bury the wrong man. You remember, don't you? Commander Rabb?" She folded her arms and gave him a cold stare.

The smile slid off Tony's face as his eyes grew wider. "I... uh... ah... " He threw a pleading look at Kate who was now eyeing Mac with concern.

"Are you saying you don't remember, Agent DiNozzo? An innocent man almost wound up in Leavenworth. Isn't that worth remembering?" Mac had narrowed her eyes and was advancing slowly towards him, for all the world like a stalking predator.

"Mac?" Kate started to follow.

Tony backed up until he hit the edge of his desk and held up his hands with a now desperate smile, "Colonel, come on... sure I remember... I didn't... Kate!"

Mac relaxed suddenly and gave the rattled agent her own brilliant smile, "Thank you for getting to the truth." She turned back to Kate, "Would the trace evidence be processed yet?"

"Maybe," the brunette said cautiously, "Shall we go check?"

"Sure," Mac nodded. "Lead the way."

As the two women headed for the lab, Kate gave Mac a worried look, "What was that all about? Tony can be pretty annoying but he's a good guy."

Mac glanced over her shoulder and gave DiNozzo a little wave which he returned half-heartedly. She looked back at Kate and smiled, "I figured as much. Let's just say I don't think I'll have to worry about him hitting on me in the near future."

Kate started to laugh as they walked down the corridor, "So all that was a... Oh god, you really threw him for a loop."

They walked into the lab still chuckling. Abby looked up and smiled, "It's nice to see someone's in a good mood around here. Did you guys find a witness?"

"Just one and he didn't see anything useful." Kate shrugged.

Abby shot her a perplexed look, "You're certainly taking it well." She gave Mac a curious glance.

Kate decided to the introductions out of the way, "Abby, I'd like you to meet Lt. Col. Sarah MacKenzie. Mac, this is Abby Sciuto, our forensic scientist and, as you can see, our resident Goth."

Mac smiled at the young woman as they shook hands, "Call me Mac."

"Abby," she grinned in return before turning back towards Kate, "What was so funny?"

Kate glanced over at Mac and chuckled, "Nothing much, except that Tony might be a bit more leery of Marines for a while. Mac really rattled his cage."

"Tried hitting on you, didn't he?" Abby rolled her eyes, "He can be sooo predictable." She focused once again on the two women, "Did you guys come by to see if anything turned up in trace?"

"Yeah," Kate grew serious once more. "Please tell me you found something."

"Sorry," Abby shook her head, "Nothing conclusive. None of the samples from any of scenes are linked. The one partial shoe print we have is from a popular line of cheap athletic shoes. They're sold everywhere, there's literally thousands of them on the street and that's probably our best evidence. This is like chasing a ghost."

"Damn, tell me about it," Kate muttered and looked over at Mac, "I think it's time we... "

She was interrupted by the arrival of Gibbs. He stalked into the lab, ignoring Mac and Abby, and stopped in front of Kate. Folding his arms, he frowned, "I've just gotten off the phone with the Director who's been on the phone with the Commandant. Where are you on the serial killer case?"