Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I apologize for any mistakes. I'm trying to copy this story from another one with the names "Kirsten and Jeffrey" and while I try to read everything over as carefully as I can, I am only human! The mistakes are mine and mine alone. I will try and make a better effort in the future. Thank you though, to all those who did review. Enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG or else there would a completely different plot line!
Chapter Three: Strategies
1003 EST
12 August 1996
Admiral Chegwidden's Office
Judge Advocate General Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
I walk into JAG, Harm following behind me. He hasn't been here a lot, just a few times to try cases or to visit me. Admiral Chegwidden, the JAG, is a former Navy SEAL and is probably one of the best men that I know. Going into my office, I hang up my overcoat and put my cover on my desk, along with my briefcase, with Harm following my lead.
"Commander Mackenzie! Major Rabb!" Harriet says, coming to attention as we head into her office, "I thought that you were still on leave." Lt. Harriet Sims is one of my good friends and is married to one of the most promising lawyers at JAG, Lt. Bud Roberts.
"At ease. We were but the admiral called us back here last night." Harm says.
"Of course, sir. He said that he wanted to see you when you get here." She says, coming to a relaxed stance, "The kids have been great. They'll be happy to see you."
"We missed them, too." I say as I smile, "I'll talk to you later about getting them, Harriet."
"Of course, ma'am." She says.
We go into the admiral's outer office and Harm knocks on the hatch. We enter and come to attention, "Major Rabb and Commander Mackenzie reporting as ordered, sir!" Harm says.
"At ease. Have a seat." He says. The admiral is an older man with brown eyes and a shaved head.
"Thank you, sir. What did you want to see us about, sir?" I say.
"I got a call from the FBI, a Abby Mackenzie-Thomas called. Any relations to you, Commander?"
"Yes sir. She's my twin sister."
"Really? Anyway, she wants you two to go undercover at a high school in Florida. Apparently, there has been a ton of rapes and assaults that have been done by Marines. You will be posing as high school students, and Commander, it will be your job to get close to a Lizzie Krueger and Maggie Wittenburg. Major, you will act as the boyfriend and backup to Commander Mackenzie."
"Sir, are you serious?" I ask. I can't do this. I can't leave my kids for a whole year!
"I'm sorry, Commander, but the SecNav would like this relieved as soon as possible. You leave as soon as possible."
I sigh. If the order came from the SecNav, then there's nothing we or the admiral can done about it, "Sir, do you have any more details?"
"Agent Thomas said that the major's parents will be Agents Abby and Richard Thomas. Commander, yours will be Agent Joy Webb and Scott Webb."
"Sir, if I may. I think that Abby and Richie should be my parents because Abby and I look so much alike."
"That makes sense. Talk to your sister about it tomorrow when you meet them at Burger Joint for dinner at 1800. You leave in two weeks, which should give you enough time to clean up any loose ends that you might need to do."
"Sir, can I take my dog with me?" I ask, hating the fact that I might have to leave Shadow behind.
"You will have to talk to the agents about that one, Mac. Please don't report in tomorrow, seeing as I have managed to rearrange your caseload so there will be no work for you to do. God speed to both of you. Good luck. Dismissed." He says.
Harm and I come to attention before turning on our heels and heading out into the bullpen.
"Mac, why don't you go home and get some sleep. You look tired."
"I wonder why!" I say and smile, "Why don't you pick up a pizza and meet me at home. We don't have to pick up the kids until tonight, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I can think of plenty things to do until we have to leave." I say and smile wickedly.
"You are one crazy person, Mac." Harm says and smiles.
1102 EST
12 August 1996
The Rabb Residence
236 Woodsfield Street
Alexandria, Virginia
I pull into the driveway, kill the engine, grab my suitcase, briefcase, and uniform bag and head to the front hatch. I unlock the hatch and smile when Shadow, my black Newfoundland dog, picks up her head and starts barking when I turn on the light.
"Hey girl. Have you been good for Bud and Harriet?" I say, reaching down to pet her silky coat. Shadow just stands and licks my face.
I set down my briefcase and slip off my heels. I head upstairs, grabbing a pair of U.S. Navy sweatpants out of the drawer and a Marine Corps t-shirt. I quickly change, hanging up my uniform so that it won't get wrinkled, and pad into the kitchen, looking for something to drink. I open the fridge and find that we have nothing in there but water and a few cans of soda, "Ya think that we would have something that I like to drink." I say and push Shadow's nose of the doorway before grabbing two soda out of the fridge. She's looking for something to eat, I can tell, but she's not going to get anything from me.
"Pizza's here!" Harm calls as he comes into the front hall and closes the hatch behind him.
"Good." I say and smile when I smell the pizza.
"I must say, Mac, that you looked gorgeous in that dress last night."
"Thanks, Harm. I'll keep it and wear it to the next ball that we have to go to."
"Very funny, Mac. Are you going to enjoy this pizza or not?"
"Of course I am, you jerk!" I say and grab the pizza out of his hands and head into the family room. I lay down on the couch, pop open a soda, and take a piece of pizza out of the box.
"You look comfortable." Harm says as he comes into the room after changing out of his uniform and starts on a piece of pizza.
"I am." I say and smile at him.
"You know, the kids aren't here. This means that we have the whole house to ourselves." Harm says, flashing his flyboy grin at me.
"Harm, we need to talk about the kids and what we are going to do with them when we leave for this lovely undercover operation."
"I don't know what we are going to do with the kids."
"You are so helpful. Abby and Richie are coming with us so they are out of the question. We could leave them with Matt and Sophia or your parents or mine. They would all love to have the kids." I say.
"How about if we give them each a few months?" Harm says, popping open the other soda.
"That sounds good to me. Say, Harm, you have some competition."
"What the hell do you mean?" he asks.
"Tom Kinglessy proposed to me."
"What? What the hell did you say?"
"I said no, Harm." I say and take his face in my hands, "I love you and you alone."
"I love you, too, Sarah." He says and places a kiss on my forehead.
I yawn and get up, "It's time for bed."
"But we haven't finished the pizza."
"Harm, if I don't go to sleep in my own bed soon, I'm going to fall asleep in the damn pizza!"
"Alright! Alright! You go upstairs and get ready for bed. I'll be up in a few minutes. Oh, there's a pair of my favorite boxers on the bed if you want to use them."
"Thanks Harm. Come on, Shadow." I say as I head up the stairs to the master bedroom with Shadow following me. I quickly slip off my sweatpants and slip on Harm's boxers. I untuck the comforter and slip under it. Shadow jumps up on the bed and rests her head on my stomach. I gently stroke her head and I can tell that she is relaxed.
Harm comes in, gets changed, and climbs into bed, "The kids are staying at Bud and Harriet's for the day."
"Good. Do you want to go sight seeing later?" I ask.
"Sounds good to me. Where do you want to go?" he asks.
"Air and Space? Or American History?" I say, referring to my two of my favorite museums.
"Sounds fine to me." He says, running his foot against my calf.
"Harm, knock it off!" I say, turning my head to face him.
He just grins and kisses me.
"Harmon…"
1625 EST
12 August 1996
Lieutenants Bud and Harriet Roberts' Apartment
Apartment 6
Traveler's Apartment Building
Washington, D.C.
I knock on the door of Bud and Harriet's apartment and smile at Mac when we hear little footsteps running towards the door.
The door flies open and Lucy and David are standing there with Harriet behind them, "Mommy! Daddy!"
"Hey guys! Were you good for Aunt Harriet and Uncle Bud?"
"Yes." Lucy says, jumping up and down.
"No." David says. He's the quieter of the two and often gets teased by his sister.
"David, what happened, buddy?" I ask him as I pick him up.
"We went to the 'useum and Lucy double-dared me to go into one of the exhibits and so I did." He says. The only museum that he could be referring to is the Air and Space.
"Lucia Kirsten, what did you do?" Mac asks, crossing her arms and staring down at her daughter.
"Nothing, Mommy."
"Lucia Kirsten…" she says, drawing out her name.
"Mommy, I didn't do anything."
"I think that you did, Lucia. Your father and I will discuss this later, okay?"
"Yes Mommy." She says.
"Good." Mac says as she picks Lucy up and hugs her daughter close.
"So, Harriet, how were they really?"
"Fine, sir. They went to bed early and got up late this morning. It was our pleasure to have them." She says as Bud, her husband, comes and wraps his arms around her waist.
"Good. Lucy, David, go and get your stuff. Mommy and Daddy have to talk to Aunt Harriet and Uncle Bud." I say as I set JT down.
"Okay, Daddy." Lucy says as she grabs her brother's hand and leads him back to the living room.
"What's up, sir?"
"Mac and I got sent undercover."
"Where?"
"A high school in Florida. We have to take down a group of men who have been raping and assaulting girls at a local high school. Mac is going in as one of the girls and I am her back up."
"How long will you be gone?"
"About a year or less." Mac says and looks over at me.
"A YEAR!" Harriet says.
"Yeah. We will be back to see the kids and I hope to bring them out to us for some visits."
"Do you want us to watch the kids?"
"We still have to think about it. But thanks for the offer." Mac says as she smiles and I wrap my arms around her waist and she leans her head back against my shoulder.
"Anything for them." Harriet says as the kids come back.
"All set, Mommy." Lucy says, pulling her rolling backpack, pillow, and stuffed animal, a teddy bear which she named Bulldog.
"Good. David, are you already?"
"Yup."
"Good. Say good-bye to Aunt Harriet and Uncle Bud, okay?" Mac says as the kids take turns hugging their beloved aunt and uncle.
They come back to us and Mac and I take them back to our house.
1805 EST
12 August 1996
Burger Joint
Washington Mall
Washington, D.C.
I smile as I walk into Burger Joint, holding Richie's hand. Mac, Harm, Joy, and Scott are sitting at a table, burgers and fries in their hands, laughing as Lucy and David try to eat their burgers. It's really funny and I start laughing too.
"What so funny?" Richie asks.
"Your niece and nephew 'cause they are trying to eat their burgers. It's just so funny." I say, pointing at them.
Richie looks and smiles when he sees them, "That's great. Shall we go and join them?"
"Sounds good to me." I say and head over to the table, "Hey you guys."
"Hey Abby, Richie." Joy says as she smiles and gets up to give me a hug, "Scott, say hello."
"Hello. Are you happy now?" he asks his wife, an unhappy look on his face.
"Yes." She says, kissing his cheek and then sitting back down.
"Scottie, what's wrong?" I ask.
"You don't want to know, Abby."
"Scott, tell me before I turn the dogs loose on you."
"I wanted to be the liaison to the Pentagon from the FBI but they didn't want me.""Who did they choose?" I ask, a plan coming to mind.
"Phillip Peyton, Jr."
"Scottie, smile okay? I'm going to get your job back okay?" I say and turn towards Harm and Mac, "Mac how are you? How was the reunion?"
"Well, Mom and Dad are finally talking to me, they met Harm, and they found out about their grandchildren and want to meet them."
"That's great. So, did you pass the in-laws test, Harm?" I ask him.
"I think so. I mean, they seemed to like me."
"That's good. Anyway, shall we continue with business here?" I say, pulling up a chair. Richie prefers to stand, I guess since he has been sitting down all day.
"Auntie Abby! Uncle Richie!" Lucy says, running towards us. They are our godchildren and Rich and I like to spoil them rotten.
"Lucy! David! How are you guys?" Richie says as he picks up David and gives him a hug.
"Fine, Uncle Richie, just fine. Mommy's going to take us to the 'useum tomorrow." David says.
"Mac, I guess that your kids inherited your love of flying." Rich says, smiling.
"Guess so." She says, smiling.
"What about me? I was a pilot, too." Harm says, looking slightly hurt.
"You know, Harm, that's one story that I haven't heard before."
"Which story?" I ask, putting Lucy down and sitting down. Richie puts David down and together, the brother and sister run back towards the play area.
"Why you love to fly so much. I mean, your parents aren't pilots or have an interest in flying. I mean, for Mac, our grandfather was a World War II pilot serving in the China-Burma-India theatre."
"My dad was a SEAL who served during the Vietnam War. He always loved to fly in the helos but didn't have good enough eyesight to become a pilot." Harm says.
"Really? That's so cool." Richie says.
"I wanted to be a SEAL but I can't because I'm a woman. Anyway, Harm's dad already loves me and hates Harm."
"Why?" Richie asks, not knowing about the rivalry between the Navy and the Marines.
"Rich, sailors don't like the marines and the marines don't like the sailors. It's always been that way. Besides, if I had never gone into the Marines, I would have never meet Mac." He says, kissing the top of her head.
"Have you guys decided what's happening with the kids?" I ask.
"Harm's parents are coming down here for three months then Mom and Dad will be down here."
"What about guardianship?" I ask.
"We're going to let the daycare place know what's going on, but any important documents will be faxed over to us. We'll sign them and send them back. Is that okay with you guys?"
"That's fine. I'll make sure that you have a secure fax line and I'll make sure that my signature is on the letter going to the daycare place, since this is my op."
"Abby, I have a few issues that I need to discuss." Mac says, leaning her head back against Harm's shoulder.
"Shoot."
"I can bring my plane, car, and Shadow with me?"
"You can fly the plane down there, I guess that you can ship the BMW down. You'll have to pay for it, though."
"Won't the Bureau pay for it?" Mac asks.
"Sorry. It's your car and you want it, so you pay for it."
"Fine. Harm, do you want to drive it down?"
"Drive the Beemer? Mac, are you nuts?"
"Nuts for you and yes, you can drive the Beemer. Just be careful with my baby. Shadow can come with me in the plane. Alright, we got that worked out. What's next?"
"Here are your files. Mac, meet Kay Thomas and your 'parents' are Richie and me. Harm, meet Jeffrey Tyler and your 'mommy' and 'daddy' are Joy and Scottie." I say, handing each of them their files, "Harm, Mac, I would suggest that you each get some new clothes but wait until you get down there. Mac, I'm sure that A.J. told you that you're to get close to a Lizzie Krueger and Maggie Wittenburg. From what we could gather, they are the most popular girls in school and don't like newcomers. Mac, you are going need some new clothes. Provocative clothes at that. We are going to create a rumor that you are an easy person to get into bed with from our guy at the base. Harm, are you okay with this?"
"Yeah."
"Harm, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I am a trained naval officer so I think that I can take care of myself."
"Alright, fine. Abby, what's my role in this?" Harm asks.
"You are her boyfriend. We need you guys to be all lovey-dovey and then have a big fight. That's when we think the girls will move in because Mac is looking for a new man."
"How long before this fight?"
"A few months. I don't know, it depends on how well things go. I want you guys to go home, pack a few personal things and go over your files. Harm, you are going to leave in a few days. Mac, next week. Think that you can handle that?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Abby. Joy, Scott, nice to see you. Richie, good luck with Abby." Mac says, smiling at Richie.
"I think that I'm going to need it." Richie says, kissing my temple.
Harm calls the kids over and helps them to tie their laces and get ready to go. I smile as I watch the exchange. Harm puts Lucy up on his shoulders while Mac carriers David. God, I hope that this goes as planned.
End Chapter Three.
