Title : Christmas Comes But Once A Year…
(or, 'How wrong can a woman be'?)
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!)
Thanks again for the wonderful reviews! How can I not continue with such enthusiastic support! I've got to say, I was happy to find out that Alicia Montes was only in the Christmas episode in flashback, and not actually there in person.
On with the story…
Mac's Apartment – Early AfternoonJennifer opened the door to the General and indicated the mess at the entrance so that he could side step it and enter the apartment. Cresswell took a look at the remains of Mac's doormat as he walked by, and then raised his eyes to his three officers.
"Colonel, would you care to fill me in on the situation, as this is your apartment."
"Of course, sir." Mac invited Cresswell to take a seat in the lounge, but he pulled out a chair from the dining table instead, and Mac followed suit, with Harm and Jennifer taking two of the remaining chairs. Mac gave a concise report on the events in her apartment, including the fact that the caretaker had been very lucky to escape permanent injury.
"It would seem that Ms Montes has an agenda, Commander. Is there any reason for that?"
Harm glanced at Mac and then spoke up in response to his commanding officer.
"I'm not aware of any, sir. Ms Montes and I worked on the re-trial recently, as I told you last night. Other than that, we have never had social or business contact."
"Has there been social contact since the trial?"
Harm was surprised. Cresswell was pulling no punches, and he knew Harm was taken aback by his comment. He looked from Harm to Mac, and back again.
"Ms Montes obviously feels there is something, Commander, so I'm asking you, is there?"
"We had dinner, once, and purely business. In fact, a student of Ms Montes' came to our table while we were eating."
"Did you initiate dinner?"
"Yes, as a gesture of courtesy. Ms Montes had spent the day at JAG working on the files the Navy had on the case. It seemed only suitable that the Navy repay her for her time."
"I can't argue with that, Commander. It is, however, the apparent catalyst for Ms Montes' behavior. Now, what do you have planned for the rest of your day?"
"The Colonel, Petty Officer Coates and myself are due at the Roberts' home for a buffet before going on to the church service. Petty Officer Coates will be staying with the children."
"Very well. I've been invited to the Roberts' home also, but I regret I have to decline due to prior commitments. However, I do intend to be at the service. I would like you to find Ms Montes' telephone number for me, Commander, and I will get in touch with her myself."
"Sir?" Harm looked as confused as he felt, and Cresswell gave a hint of a smile.
"Have you ever heard of the expression 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer' ?"
"Yes, sir," Harm acknowledged, still not sure where the General was going with his comments. Mac and Jennifer were as unsure as Harm.
"I shall invite Ms Montes to the church service as a guest of JAG. That way, I can strike up a conversation with her regarding the attributes of my senior lawyers in her professional opinion. That at least should give some insight."
"Sir, she isn't going to confess to sending the flowers today."
"Of course she isn't! I know that, Colonel," Cresswell turned to face Mac, who had spoken. "What I intend to find out, one way or another, is how serious Ms Montes is about the Commander."
Jennifer spoke up then, intrigued by the machinations of her new commanding officer.
"How will you do that, sir?" she asked. Harm, Mac and the General turned to look at her, but Jennifer stood her ground and waited for an answer to what she deemed a suitable question.
"Oh, that part's simple. I intend to set Ms Montes up, Petty Officer. A sting, if you will."
"And the bait?" asked Harm, already knowing the answer.
"You and the Colonel. You'll…pretend…to be attracted to one another, and hopefully that will cause Ms Montes to show her hand, so to speak."
"Sir, what about the UCMJ rules…" Mac began, but Cresswell waved his hand.
"Not to worry. I have certain privileges as JAG, which I'm sure my predecessor used on occasion." At this comment Harm, Mac and Jennifer all smiled, and Cresswell nodded at their reaction before continuing. "Regulations will be waived for the duration of this investigation, for that is what this has become. It can be kept in-house for now, as you suggested, Commander. However, as a civilian has been involved unwittingly, if the problem escalates it could mean involving the FBI. We will deal with that if and when it happens."
"Sir, how…far…does the pretence go?" Harm needed to know the limits Cresswell was prepared to give them rein to, and then he and Mac could work their relationship around those limits. It wouldn't be too difficult – they'd managed to make it work so far! Besides which, if they were to be allowed to fraternize, then maybe they would have a little more freedom than usual! That thought made Harm smile, and Mac grinned at his expression. Often now, they were thinking almost the same things.
Cresswell paused before answering, and the three officers around the table didn't realize they were holding their collective breath until Cresswell gave his answer and they all breathed again.
"Let's say that you and Colonel Mackenzie should make this as believable as possible. Ms Montes should be convinced enough to show her own hand in getting to you, Commander. How you go about that, I shall leave up to you, and the Colonel. Fair enough?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
"Our ultimate goal is prove that Ms Montes had a hand in arranging this 'mess'," the General pointed at the ruined doormat and the flower box. "From there we can add the charge of endangerment to the general public."
"Mr Williams doesn't want to press charges, sir," Mac spoke up then, but Cresswell waved his hand in dismissal.
"He may not, Colonel, but I do," he answered. Mac nodded, hoping she would be able to convince the caretaker to give a statement if and when it was needed. Cresswell got to his feet and looked at the three faces before him.
"Right then, I'll leave you three to get to the Roberts' house and have a good time. I look forward to meeting you all at the church for the service later. Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, sir. Thank you for coming." Mac escorted Cresswell to the door, and he passed comment as he walked by the remains of the doormat once more.
"You might want to bag that, Colonel, for evidence."
"Yes, sir," Mac acknowledged his words with a smile, and closed the door as he left. Turning back to face Harm and Jennifer, she gave a wobbly smile. "I hope this day gets better."
Harm stepped forward and gave her a hug, and then leaned back to smile at her.
"I happen to know two little boys who are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face at the very least. If you'd like to accompany me, ladies," Harm turned at that moment to include Jennifer, "…and I'll take you on a little mystery tour."
Harm, Mac and Jennifer stepped out of Mac's apartment building and crossed the street to his SUV. As Harm appeared first, followed by Mac, Alicia smiled. She had seen Cresswell leave the building earlier, and he had not appeared pleased at all. When she saw Harm and Mac together she was a little unsure, seeing them smile at each other as they spoke about something. When Jennifer Coates followed them across the street to Harm's vehicle, Alicia's face contorted. Damn! So they hadn't been alone at all! But then the smile came back to her face. If Jennifer was at Mac's apartment, it meant that the Petty Officer knew about Mac and Harm also! Waiting while Harm drove off in the direction of the Beltway, Alicia started her car and followed them.
Harm's SUV – enroute to the Roberts' Residence
In the SUV Harm checked his watch. Mac caught his action.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The General asked me to get Alicia Montes's number. It's in my briefcase at home, and if I go back, it'll make us late."
"Not a problem, Harm. I've got it." Jennifer's response had Mac peering around the back of her seat, and Harm glancing at her in the rear view mirror. They spoke together.
"You do? How come?"
"Part of my job, recalling numbers. During the retrial I had to keep Ms Montes updated on the case, hence I remember her number."
"Great! You wouldn't mind calling the General for us, would you?" Harm wheedled, and Mac punched his arm playfully.
"Chicken," she murmured, and Harm glanced across at her. Their shared look was private, and Jennifer made a production of looking in her purse for her cell phone.
"Chicken, huh?" Harm retorted softly, and Mac closed her eyes on the promise in his, reminded of what would come later, when they were alone.
"No, I wouldn't mind," Jennifer spoke up, and Harm returned his gaze to the road, while Mac took a deep breath. "Do you want me to call him now?"
"Yes, the sooner the better, I guess. Then he can call her," Mac confirmed, and Jennifer nodded, dialling the number for the General from memory.
"Sir, it's Petty Officer Coates. I have the number for you, from the Commander. Yes, sir." Jennifer reeled off the digits, and then confirmed them. Just before she ended the call she nodded at something Cresswell had said. "Yes, sir. I'll tell them."
"Tell us what?" asked Harm, curious at Jennifer's tone of voice.
"The General would like you to begin your…'charade'…" At this point Jennifer paused, and both Harm and Mac found her beaming widely at them. Mac had to prompt her to continue, despite smiling herself.
"Charade, Jen?"
"Oh, yes. If he turns up with Ms Montes you are to begin the charade at your own discretion. He suggests sitting together at the service as a good start to the proceedings."
"Then we won't disappoint him, will we, Mac?"
"Not at all. If that's what the General wants, that's what he will get!"
The remainder of the journey to the Roberts' house was made with light conversation topics – absolutely no business - and as they reached the sprawling property and climbed out of the SUV they were unaware of the car that drew to a halt nearby, but out of sight.
Alicia Montes watched as the three officers were met at the door by a heavily pregnant woman, who greeted all three with affectionate hugs, and then they disappeared inside.
It was now obvious that the flowers had not had the 'effect' she had been planning, and that other arrangements would have to be made.
At that moment Alicia's cell phone rang. The caller's ID was unknown, and she hesitated, debating whether to take the call.
"Ms Montes?" The voice was unknown, and male. Alicia was curious.
"Speaking."
"This is Major General Gordon Cresswell, the JAG of the Navy's legal department. I am Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie's commanding officer."
"Yes, General. How may I help you?" Alicia was ecstatic! Somehow the man had found out about Mac and Harm! So, the flowers may have failed in their objective, but the message had got through to the General anyway!
It wouldn't be long now until Harm and Mac were charged with conduct unbecoming!
How wrong can a woman be?
To be continued
A/N – I'm not sure about this chapter. Hope you all enjoy reading anyway!
