Chapter Two
By: LizD
Written November 2003
With Love and thanks to the cast, crew and creators of JAG.
MacKenzie ResidenceHarm made all the arrangements and picked Mac up at her apartment. She met him outside dressed down in tight black – head to toe.
"Mrs. Peel, I presume?" He scanned her up and down – no curve, hump or bump was left to the imagination.
"I was thinking more along the lines of The Catwoman." Truth to tell, she liked that he found her attractive and planned on using that to her advantage.
"Where's your whip?"
"Never mind the whip, you need to watch the claws."
"Prepare to have them clipped, pussy cat."
"Colonel Pussy Cat to you, commander."
2109 EST – THE TOWN – Training Facilities – Quantico, VAHarm and Mac were being given final instructions by Lieutenant Petrie.
"This is just a game – search and destroy. The clock will be running – game is normally called in ten minutes, but I'll give you two fifteen. So there is no sitting and waiting it out. First to a kill wins. Kills are in the torso area alone. Remember – those paintballs are traveling at high velocity – they will leave a mark. Therefore body shots are encouraged – extremity and headshots are considered cheap. Wear your masks and gloves at all times. This is an honor game – if you are hit – you are out."
"Can you handle that, MacKenzie?"
"I got it."
"Just checking in – don't want you to whine when you break a nail."
"Listen – FLYBOY – you maybe hot shit at 30,000 feet – but I'll be all over you on the ground."
"Trying to scare me or turn me on?"
"OK, OK – 'trash' talk is over." Lieutenant Petrie rolled his eyes. He was not impressed with these two. A couple of lawyers with guns? Please, it would be more interesting watching paint dry. But then again, watching Mac in that cat suit was worth the extra duty. "I'm the ref and I will be watching. Go to your starting positions. Depending upon how good you two are – we could get in maybe three or four rounds before the Special Ops team arrives."
"You have people coming in this late?"
"They don't know it yet – they should be getting the call in about an hour."
Mac and Harm went to their respective starting positions. The lights were turned out and then on. The game was on.
Round 1 (2:03 - Mac): Harm took the direct approach down the west side of the main street. Mac climbed to the roof on the east side. Within minutes she had him in her sights. She took aim and fired. SMACK – square in the chest. Harm never heard it coming.
"Break a nail, commander?"
"Lucky shot, colonel." He said wiping the paint off, refusing to show how much it really stung.
"Well hell Harm, my hopper is full – could keep going all night."
"One for you colonel." He nodded and they went back to their starting positions.
Round 2 (1:06 - Mac): Again barely sixty seconds went by and again Harm was shot and he was out. This time, he had advanced on her rather quickly, but she had taken cover behind a car. Her first shot missed, and gave away her position. He fired and dove to get his cover but was taken out before it was secured. This time she hit him a little lower – in the abdomen.
"Not as easy as it looks, eh Harm?"
"Just want you to feel like you are doing well."
Round 3 (4:49 - Mac): This time Harm was able to out maneuver Mac for nearly five minutes until eventually he came up behind her – told her to drop her weapon. She turned and fired. Harm was out.
"Hey?" He called to the lieutenant. "Is that fair?"
"If you don't want to shoot the girl, commander; I suggest you don't confront her."
Mac was grinning ear to ear.
"Of course you know – this means war." He whispered to her.
"Bring it on."
Round 4 (6:36 – Harm)Round 5 (3:29 – Harm)
Round 6 (5:18 – Harm)
Round 7 (7:25 – Harm)
The next four rounds went to Harm. It wasn't easy and he was using every bit of training and strategizing he could possible think of. He was working up a pretty good sweat too. He tried not to gloat too much. As much as he enjoyed winning (and would not consider letting her win), he really didn't like the idea that he was hurting her. In that last round, round seven, he hit her pretty high in the chest. She was visibly forced back by the paintball. She even let out a cry.
"Mac?" He came over to check on her. "Maybe this game was getting too rough." he thought to himself.
"I am fine, Harm." She unzipped her top to survey the damage below her collarbone. It hadn't bruised yet, but it was going to be a nasty one. "Guess I won't be going strapless anytime soon." She laughed.
"Too bad, thought you could take me to dinner when this is over."
"Who is taking whom?"
He grinned. He took a hit from his water and offered her some. "Need a break, milady?" He jibed.
"Don't patronize me." She took the water and nearly drained it.
"We could quit now. I think we are even." He said.
"No sir." Said the lieutenant. "You just went one up on the colonel."
She shook her head. "Do we have more time Lieutenant?"
"The way you two are playing – sure we have lots of time."
"Back to your position, flyboy." She pushed the water bottle back at him. "Watch your back."
"Paybacks are a bitch?"
"And so am I." She gloated.
"I love it when you get hostile."
Round 8 (3:35 – Mac)
Round 9 (5:09 – Harm)
Round 10 (2:18 – Mac)
Round 11 (4:54 – Mac)
Round 12 (6:16 – Harm)
Round 13 (4:45 – Harm)
Round 14 (7:32 – Mac)
The games were getting longer and involved a great deal more strategy. After ninety-some minutes and fourteen rounds, the win/loss column was even. Mac had the shortest kill time and Harm broke the course record for the longest evade time (seemed logical knowing them). The lieutenant was going to put an end to it. The games were even. Both Harm and Mac looked like they had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. Nothing visible, expect the paint, the sweat, the dirt and the fact that they were moving slower than they had been when they started. They were using muscles that they had not used in a long time (that included their wits). I must also mention here that they were having a blast. A total blast.
The last round was announced. "Games are tied, sir, ma'am. But I'm sorry. Need to turn the field over to the real marines." He said. "Major Dawson and his group are here." Harm and Mac looked up and noticed that the lieutenant was not alone.
"I think we have time for one more – need to break the tie." Said Dawson. "Wish my guys did as well as you two."
Round 15 (3:54 – Mac)
The timer was reset and Harm and Mac took their starting positions. This one was going to be a full bore, all out, head to head. Harm came after her with renewed strength. Mac dipped and rolled and tracked him like the pro she was. In the end Harm zigged, when he should have zagged. He was able to get off a couple of shots, one hit her in the leg and another in the arm. But she won the round. She nailed him once in the upper thigh (a little close to the family jewels), once in the butt and one hit him right in the numbers. He was out.
Final score Harm 7 – Mac 8Harm and Mac limped out of the town. Each has more than one sore spot but they had a great time and they didn't really care anymore who won and who lost. The bet was all but forgotten – for the moment.
"Congratulations, Colonel."
"You surprised me too, Harm." She wrapped her free arm around him. "Guess you are not ALL talk." She grinned – generous now that she was the declared winner.
Major Dawson met them as they exited. "Sir, Ma'am, excuse me, you two are lawyers?" He handed them each some water.
"From the JAG corps." Harm said. "Colonel MacKenzie and Commander Rabb."
"Major Dawson." He returned the introduction. "I wonder if you would be interested in helping me out."
"Got some legal troubles, major?" Mac asked.
"No ma'am. But my team has been training against each other for so long it is impossible to tell if they would know how to react with anyone else. They need to go up against somebody that they don't know and can't predict." He nodded to them. "You two have some pretty unique strategies."
"Legal wrangling teaches you a whole new game." Harm said.
"You want us to go up against your team?" Mac said. She looked a little worried, she was more than a little tired and it was getting fairly late. Both Mac and Harm had court in the morning.
"I have a team of six. I would break them up into pairs and go two on two. Or if you like, I would give you two of my guys and go four on four. After a break. I send them through a couple of times. Let you two catch your breath."
Harm and Mac looked at each other. "You up for this?" She asked. She looked like she really wanted to do it. Some how this little game of tag had unleashed Mac's aggression in a very interesting way. Harm loved seeing the fire in her eyes (usually reserved for when she was spitting it at him in the court room).
"I am. However -." He pulled her off to the side. "We have to do this as a team – you and me – no outsiders."
"Agreed."
"Can I trust that I won't get shot in the back?" He smiled.
"I'll watch your six, navy. Trust me."
He grinned. "Actually, let me watch yours – it is better looking and you lead better."
She almost choked. "Wish somebody were around to hear that."
"You know I'll deny it in court – well not the better looking part."
The challenge was accepted. The six members of Dawson's team were brought in after they had run the course a few times.
"Hey." Said Marine 1. "Who's the skirt?"
"Maybe she is the damsel in distress we have to rescue." Marine 2 chimed in.
"Spoils of war, gentlemen." Said the third one.
Mac was amused; Harm was not. "Gentlemen, I suggest you give the lady every respect or I can guarantee, you will not make it out of the town in one piece."
"Who are you, her body guard?" Said Marine 4.
"Her agent – she'll delight in kicking your ass and I'll delight in watching." Mac was gratified that Harm came to her defense this time by believing that she could take care of herself. It was different for Harm.
The marines all made 'ohing' and 'ahing' noises.
"GIRLS!" Major Dawson silenced them. "Let me introduce Colonel MacKenzie and Commander Rabb, JAG corps. They have agreed to act as adversaries in our next set of games tonight."
"JAG corps? We are playing against lawyers?" One whispered to the others.
"They gonna file briefs on us?"
"Probably write us tickets."
Harm and Mac nodded to the marines and left to take their positions. Now they were both more than excited about this game, if only to shut these young punks up.
"You gonna play hero, Harm?" She asked just before the game started.
"No, that's what they will expect me to do."
"So, you are going to be the bait?"
"Would you take it?" He said suggestively.
Her eyes softened. "I'd think about it."
He brushed some hair off her face. He eyes softened too and his look was full of the mixed messages that Mac knew very well. "How long would you have to think?"
The lights went out. And then back on. The game was on. They both secured their masks and with very few actual words being spoken they made a strategy. Each had learned the others (and their own) strengths and weaknesses in the rounds that they had played. Each had silently determined how best to take advantage of those attributes to win as a team.
Rounds were played. They more than held their own, in fact they – well their side – was able to get the drop on the marines four times out of six. Three times Harm sacrificed himself in order for Mac to finish them off and once they both survived. The other two times they were killed pretty quickly. This of course impressed the marines and they fought that much harder.
A final round was declared. It was to be a time game, all Mac and Harm had to do was survive ten minutes. They were deployed in the town and dug in. First two marines would enter to seek them out. Three minutes later another two were deployed regardless of the marines still 'alive' and again three minutes after that the final two were sent in. In the end it could have been six on two, but all they had to do was stay hidden to win. Harm and Mac had a different strategy.
The game began. Mac took out marine 1 before he ever found cover. Marine 2 came up on Harm's position. Harm took a shot to the leg but was not killed. Marine 3 and 4 entered. Mac dropped back and flanked them. Harm drew fire and Mac took them out. Marine 2 was still alive, but his whereabouts were unknown. Marine 5 and 6 entered from a totally unexpected direction. Harm and Mac had to scramble to regain safe ground. It was a second floor apartment. They were now trapped. The marines were closing in. Harm climbed out the window and waited. Mac played dead. Marine 5 and 6 entered from the hall. Mac's ploy worked. Harm appeared in the window, took out Marine 5 and distracted the other long enough for Mac to take him out with two quick shots. Across the street Marine 2 came out from hiding. He shot Harm in the neck. It took him by surprise and he fell from the window to the dirt street below. It knocked the wind out of him. Mac appeared in the window worried about Harm's fall. She was taken out with a shot to the chest. She fell back into the room and tripped over one of the Marines. Harm rose from his position and took Marine 2 out. GAME OVER. They won five out of seven. The marines they played against had a new respect for lawyers.
The fall from the window was not so much damaging as it was just really hard on Harm's joints and muscles. The shot to Harm's neck was not intentional by the marine, but it broke the skin and needed some first aid. Mac managed that. The marine that shot him was very apologetic.
"I am really very sorry sir."
"Don't give it another thought, I am going to tell everyone that the colonel gave it to me in the heat of passion." The men laughed and Mac was not amused.
She pressed her hand into his upper thigh – on the spot where that paintball nearly turned him into a soprano. He winced. "I'll lay claim to this one, Harm."
"I'll bet." He tugged at the zipper on her shirt, which still remained completely zipped. "How are you doing?"
"Like I said." She unzipped it to reveal a massive bruise growing that looked like a little bullseye. "No going strapless for me."
"Mac – that looks bad."
"No so bad. It is this one that hurts." She touched her ankle.
Harm leaned down and pulled up her pant leg. The skin was also broken there, and her ankle was beginning to swell. He changed seats with her and tended to her ankle.
"Are you sure you two are lawyers?" One of the marines asked.
"You think we sit around discussing statues all day?" Harm defended.
"The commander is still a pilot – flying F14's and I have had more than a few opportunities to go TAD."
"This is the military, kids. Primary directive is to defend the country no matter when job you have."
Major Dawson thanked them for their time. Mac and Harm agreed to clear the extra time on the course with the base commander – not that it needed clearing, but when it got back that two JAG lawyers were hurt during a training exercise it would not go well for Dawson or Petrie.
0156 EST – MacKenzie Residence, Georgetown, VAHarm was helping Mac up to her apartment. They were laughing and joking and recounting the battle stories. They were both covered with dirt and paint and sweat. Neither one had had so much fun in years – at least not together and not with their clothes on.
"So are we going to say I won?" Mac laughed.
"Do you need to say you won?"
"Well, you saved my butt out there a couple of times."
"It was an honor and a privilege, colonel."
"OK, OK – if that is you being nice, forget it. Take me to dinner and we will call it good."
"I will." He laughed. "As soon as you can walk again."
"Walk? Hell, I am worried that I can't drive. Nice field dressing though, Hammer."
"Needs to be changed in the morning – should I stay and do that for you?" He grinned.
"I'll manage." She smiled. She liked that he was playing with her again. There was even a little part of her that wondered what he would do if she accepted one of his innuendoes. And the larger part of that little part was hoping that he would not back away if she did. But she wouldn't - at least not tonight. "Can't believe you fell from the window." She laughed. "I thought you were a goner."
"No, just my back. My chiropractor is gonna kill me." He stretched.
"You need to take something for it – Advil or something."
"Was actually thinking about that bathtub of yours."
"Stand in line, sailor." She elbowed him gently.
"Not into sharing?" He said lustily.
"We could ----." Mac stopped in mid-sentence (isn't that always the way?) and followed Harm's gaze to her open doorway. Webb was standing there.
"Clay." She was shocked. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you." He looked at Harm and there was disgust in his eyes.
"Webb."
"Rabb."
Harm looked at Mac. Clearly she didn't know what she was supposed to do. Harm took charge. "Well, looks like you got it of from here, Colonel. I better get home. I got a hot shower with my name on it."
"Do you want that Advil?"
"Nah – think bourbon is gonna do the trick."
She really didn't want him to leave, but there was actually no way to ask him to stay. Webb was immovable. Harm let go of her as soon as she steadied herself by the door. "Thanks, Harm." She nodded sadly to him. "That was a lot of fun."
"We make a hell of a team."
"We do." She laughed. "I am glad you are on my side, most of the time."
"I'll watch your six, any time, any place, colonel." He looked at Webb and then back to her. "Need a ride to work in the AM?" Indicating her ankle.
"I'll be fine."
"OK. See you tomorrow." He nodded to Webb. Webb did not nod back.
Harm limped down the hall and Mac watched until he was out of sight. She turned her attention to Webb. "You shouldn't be here." She said and she limped past him into her apartment.
