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…
Harm's Apartment – Christmas Morning
"Mac and I were together, Alicia…" Harm began, and Mac turned to look at him in surprise. Alicia's reaction was a howl of rage as she lifted the gun higher, and screamed one word.
"No!"
"Harm! What're you doing?" Mac looked from Alicia, still brandishing the gun dangerously, to Harm, and saw the steely determination in his eyes in contrast to the easy smile on his face.
"It's okay, Mac. Alicia isn't going to do anything stupid."
"Don't bet on it," muttered Mac, looking at the woman seated on the couch.
"I'm simply going to tell her the truth."
"The truth?" Mac echoed, and Harm nodded.
"You see, Alicia, Mac and I have known each other for a long time, and for a long time I've loved her, but up until recently I've never done anything to show her. In fact, I've driven her further away, into the arms of other men, when all I wanted to do was have her in my arms and tell her I love her." Harm stopped, glancing at Mac before continuing to talk. "I never gave you any reason to believe you and I could have a relationship, Alicia, and if you're honest with yourself, you'll see that too."
"You kissed me," Alicia mumbled, the gun wavering in her hand. Harm considered making a move for it, but Alicia's finger was still near the trigger. It was too dangerous yet.
"No, I didn't. You kissed me when you left the courtroom after the case, Alicia, and you created your fantasy about us."
"You really don't love me?"
"You don't love me, Alicia. You might think you do, but it's not real." Harm countered Alicia's words, and saw her shoulders slump. Then they straightened again, and Alicia smiled once more. Harm moved in front of Mac again – there was something in Alicia's expression that worried him. Alicia got to her feet.
"I'll just have to try harder next time," she said, still holding the gun level, her finger firmly around the trigger again.
"What do you mean, Alicia?"
"I'm going to go now, but I'd watch your back if I were you, Colonel. A woman scorned, and all…" Alicia walked across the room, toward the door, as she spoke again. "The flowers were a bad idea. I should have dealt with them myself."
Harm and Mac both saw the opportunity at the same time, and took it.
"You sent the flowers to Mac, Alicia?"
"Of course I did. Over the years the Colonel has to have made enemies in court. Untraceable enemies, and people I could exploit, if only in my mind. It was easy enough to slip the packet into the flower delivery, and with a timed release the acid ate through the packaging. Simple idea, but the delivery man got the wrong address to begin with. That took up the time."
"What else did you have planned?" Harm persisted, and Mac watched as Alicia's smile grew.
"Oh, there are so many things one person can do to another without fear of being traced." Alicia looked directly at Mac. "That's a lovely car you drive, Colonel. Expensive? It will be when you have to replace it. But of course, you won't be around to worry about it when the brakes fail and you're killed in the resulting crash. Or perhaps a faulty fuel line, and it explodes."
"You're just full of ideas…" muttered Mac, and Harm could tell she was tensing again by the hold she had on his skin through his robe. He willed her to stay still, and behind him. They had evidence now that Alicia had tried to kill Mac, and still intended to finish the task, but it was inadmissible without a witness. Mac's presence wouldn't count, as she was involved. They needed a third party.
The knocking at the door caused all three to jump, but Alicia retained hold of the gun. Harm called out, hoping it wasn't Mattie, or Jennifer, coming by.
"I'm a little busy right now. Can you come back in a half hour?"
"No, Commander, I can't!" Gordon Cresswell banged on the door once more, and Alicia motioned for him to open the door.
"One minute, sir." Harm moved across the room, reluctant to leave Mac in the open, but unable to bring her with him. Opening the door, Harm was aware of two things. His commanding officer was smiling and holding up a tape recorder in his hand. Mattie's recorder! Behind the General, Mattie stood smiling too. Opening the door wider, Harm stepped back for the General to enter the room, and take stock of the situation. Harm closed the door behind Cresswell, nodding his head at Mattie as she backed away to her own apartment. Alicia was concentrating on Cresswell's entrance, and missed Harm's exchange with Mattie.
"Gordon. What are you doing here?"
"I was on my way over to wish my officers the best of the season. I must admit, I was surprised to see your car here."
"You know about them? That they're together?"
"Of course. My predecessor, Admiral Chegwidden, advised me of the…er…state of their relationship. As they keep their private business very private, I see no reason to take any disciplinary action right now."
Mac glanced at Harm, who shrugged. They were both aware that the General had all but told them to be together, for the sake of finding out about Alicia, but his words seemed genuine, and to mention the Admiral also seemed unnecessary, unless he was telling the truth! Their attention was drawn to the other couple in the room.
"Why are you doing this, Alicia? It's obvious Harm has no need to coerce you into a relationship when he seems more than happy to be involved with the Colonel. If you give me the gun now, we can work something out for you."
"Work something out? I'm not at fault here, Gordon. I can't be charged with anything. If you try to do anything, I'll retaliate."
"You really think you can intimidate the Judge Advocate General and his staff?"
Alicia nodded.
How wrong can a woman be?Cresswell stood, arms crossed, a smile on his face. In his pocket was the tape from Mattie's recorder. The proof that would be the key to Alicia Montes' downfall.
