Will You Always Be There?
Chapter 66
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the JAG or NCIS characters. I don't own any of the products or labels mentioned for the purposes of telling this story. Any similarities to situations or person living or dead are purely coincidental.
Spoilers: Anything up to 'JAG San Diego' and any spoiler floating around out there.
Some NCIS eps may be 'loosely' referred to.
A/N: Many thanks to aero girl for her beta reading skills and encouragement.
A/N: We are winding up the NCIS story line in this chapter; we will be more JAG and Harm and Mac centric from now on. Thank you for your indulgence while I swung out into NCIS land. (I have started an NCIS story from these characters that I will post on that board in the next week or so.)
0600
Thursday
March 31
Victor Galindez's apartment
Alexandria, Virginia
Jen was startled awake by an alarm clock, and nearly bolted out of the bed. She was disoriented at first and didn't remember where she was. She pushed the button on top of the alarm and stepped back from it. Then realization came, and she calmed down, placing her hand on her chest and slowing her breathing. Where was Victor? The apartment was quiet; she could smell coffee brewing, though, and thought he was in the kitchen.
She wrapped herself in a sheet from the bed and went to look for him. She padded into the living room and looked into the kitchen, then into the open door of the bathroom. He wasn't there. Jen's heart sank. She didn't really know what to think. Last night had been…wonderful. She thought he had enjoyed being with her too. She walked further into the kitchen, deciding that she might as well make a cup of coffee. Neither of them had slept very much and she would need it, so she figured she could even handle Victor's strong coffee today.
She walked to the counter where the coffee pot sat and noticed a note with her name at the top, sitting next to a clean coffee cup. It read:
'Jen –
Sorry I had to get out of here early.
I didn't want to wake you.
I forgot that I'm supposed to meet the general for a run this morning.
Last night was great.
Meet me here at 1800?
Victor'
She smiled to herself, feeling foolish for the panic she'd felt. She should have known he wouldn't have just walked away without saying anything. She poured herself a cup of coffee and walked to the window to look out. She saw that Victor's truck was gone and then she realized that she didn't have her car.
'Oh my God,' she thought – how was she going to get to work? Something else Victor had forgotten about. Calling anyone from work was out of the question. She scrambled to the phone, praying that her roommate was still there. Alicia answered, and after much begging and promises of fresh bagels for a week she agreed to leave early, pick Jen up and let her get her car.
Later that morning, Jen was walking into the bullpen from the elevators and passed Victor on her way to her desk.
"Did you enjoy your run?" She smiled at him sweetly.
"Yes, I did." He gave her a knowing look.
"I had a busy morning too." She turned to walk toward her desk. "I had to go get my car."
Gunny had already started walking toward his desk when he froze in place. He had completely forgotten. He turned and started to follow Jen when he heard General Creswell call for her. Jen turned to walk into his office and noticed Gunny's expression. She gave him a quick wink and stepped into the general's office.
When she had finished with the general she gave Gunny a call at his desk.
"Gunnery Sergeant Galindez…what seems to be the problem with your memory lately?"
She leaned forward so that she could see him from where she spoke on the phone.
Gunny smiled into the phone. "My apologies, Petty Officer. I think I'm being distracted by some of the naval personnel here. One petty officer in particular has caused several lapses in memory lately." He looked in her direction.
Bud walked into the bullpen and noticed Gunny talking on the phone and looking in Jen's direction.
"Gunny?"
Gunny snapped his head toward him. "Yes, sir?"
"I need a word with you after staff call. I'm going to need you to follow up on a few things for me."
"Yes sir." He still had Jen on the line. "I'll talk with you later, Petty Officer."
"Yes… you will." She smiled smugly and hung up her phone.
1600
Monday
April 4
Rabb Farm
Belleville, Virginia
Mrs. Rabb pulled her Jeep up the drive way and parked it in front of the house. Today had been a very long day. Jack O'Reilly had had a stroke. She had been at the hospital for the last two days. Sam had called her early Saturday morning asking her to come to the hospital in Altoona. Jack was her oldest and dearest friend. He had known her husband and his parents. It was almost as though he was her link to her past, her happy past.
She got out of the vehicle stiffly and walked toward the house. She was being reminded just now that she was not as young as she used to be. She had been sleeping on a cot to be near Jack, to reassure Sam and also herself, if truth be told. She placed a hand to her back, heaving a heavy sigh, and walked up the steps to her porch.
The therapist in her wanted to get Jack moving as soon as he was conscious. His doctors said he would be evaluated in the next 24 to 48 hours. He had come out of the stroke without apparent permanent damage. He had seemed so much frailer, though. He was weaker on one side but was testing out well with sensation on both sides. Jack had recognized her and had spoken to her in the last 24 hours, but Mrs. Rabb knew she was losing him because he was more frail than he had ever been.
She walked into her house and started her coffee, and suddenly she felt so lonely. She felt as though she had been left behind and that all the people who shared her memories were gone. She shook herself mentally and thought, 'Get hold of yourself, Sarah.' She knew she was just feeling sorry for herself and that this was no way to be. She had her health, she had Harm and Sarah and the new baby coming this summer. She even had that old rascal Jack Keeter, when he would slow down long enough to visit. Mrs Rabb was pulled from her thoughts by the telephone ringing.
"Hello?" Her voice sounded gravelly from emotion.
"Grandma?" She didn't sound like herself at all.
"Harmon, yes…how are you, son?" She cleared her throat.
She sounded distracted and Harm was concerned immediately. "Are you okay?"
"Yes…I'm fine. I just got in; I guess I should have called."
"What's going on?"
"It's Jack…he had a stroke…two days ago." It seemed more like a month ago.
"My God...Is he all right?" Harm knew that his grandmother and Jack O'Reilly had a special friendship.
"He's recovering. I've been at the hospital in Altoona since Saturday."
"You must be exhausted. I can call back later if you like."
"No, no. To be honest with you, I needed to hear from you today. You must have radar, son."
She smiled in spite of herself. She loved her grandson. The very sight of him or the sound of his voice could lift her heart. "What's happening with you, anyway?"
"I was just going to let you know that Mac went back to work today and she's fine." Harm looked at Mac, who was sitting at a chair in front of his desk. She was frowning with concern as she listened to Harm's side of the conversation.
Mrs. Rabb was relieved; she had been worried about her since Harm's phone call last Wednesday. "Oh, that's good to hear. Let me speak with her for a moment."
Harm reached across his desk and nodded toward Mac. "She wants to talk to you." He handed her the phone.
"Sarah?" Mac stood in front of Harm's desk.
"Hello, Mac. Tell me something good and then I'll fill you in on what's going on with me. I know you must be wondering after listening to Harm."
"Yes I am, and I did go back to work today, although I'm feeling like a lightweight these days. No more running for me per doctor's orders, but I can keep exercising, just not as vigorously as before."
"It won't last long, Mac – that baby will be here before you know it. Are you still having any pain?" She sounded more like the clinician than the grandmother just now.
"No, I really am fine. Harm's been hovering like an old mother hen."
She gave him an indulgent smile and he returned it with a wink. Harm knew Mac was teasing and that she appreciated that he was there for her.
"Okay, Sarah, I told you about me, now tell me what's going on with you."
Mrs. Rabb told her about Jack but tried to put her usual positive light on the situation. Mac knew her well enough to know that she wasn't telling it all. Something was getting her down; she could hear it in her voice.
"Will you be going back to the hospital soon?" Just then Mac had visions of Mrs. Rabb lying uncomfortably on a waiting room sofa trying to sleep.
"Yes, he will be evaluated for physical therapy in the next couple of days." Sam had insisted she go home until Wednesday and then she could alternate days with him and his wife Kathie.
"So you're just making sure they do it right?"
"Something like that." She grinned sheepishly.
"I was going to suggest you come and visit; I thought it might be nice to get you into the city for a couple of days."
"Don't worry about me, Mac, I'll get out of this funk I'm in. I just need a little rest and then to get back to the hospital."
"Worrying about you is my prerogative as your granddaughter-in-law. I still want you to consider it, Sarah…after things are settled with Jack."
"I can't argue with that…granddaughter-in-law." She liked the sound of that.
They ended the call shortly thereafter, with Mrs. Rabb promising to keep them posted on Jack's progress.
0630
Tuesday
April 5
NCIS Headquarters
Washington Navy Yard
A picture of a beautiful young woman was taped to the top of Special Agent Gibbs's desk, placed dead center. It was a picture of the then Danielle Smith. On the back was written in fading blue ink:
'To Jethro,
With all my love,
Dani'
There was also a verse written on the back of the picture as had been with the two previous pictures that Gibbs had received.
'Nevertheless I have this against you,
That you have left your first love.'
The cleaning crews were the only people who had access to the office after hours. One of the crew members had been approached by a young man one afternoon at the beginning of his shift who'd asked him to help him play a practical joke. He placed the picture at the designated desk. The young man had said that he and a man who worked here had been college friends; he had paid him fifty dollars for his trouble. This was the second time he had done this for him. It was an easy way to make a little extra money and harmless as far as he was concerned. He was well dressed and had seemed sophisticated. He was surprised the man had even spoken to him; the cleaning staff was invisible to most people.
0730
Tuesday
April 5
Smith residence
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dani walked into the kitchen to get her coffee before taking what had become her daily walk on the beach. She took a sip of her coffee and walked to the sliding glass doors off of the kitchen. She was startled by an object that appeared to be taped to the glass. Taking a closer look, she saw that it was a picture of her and Jethro.
It had been taken at one of her family gatherings. She and Jethro were sitting on the beach. She sat between his legs and he had encircled her in his arms. They were looking lovingly into each other's eyes. Another forgotten picture, but one so intimate she wanted to grab it and hide it from anyone who might see it. She was embarrassed, even though no one else was in the room. She reached for it but then realized that it was taped to the outside of the glass.
She immediately opened the door and took the picture from it. It dawned on her then that someone had been this close to her parents' house, someone who very well could have murdered her husband. Commander Rabb had not said that the pictures and her husband's murder were related but that they might be. She considered calling Special Agent Todd but then thought better of it. She would call Commander Rabb at JAG; they were working with NCIS. She didn't want to deal with Jethro, not even indirectly. She had just buried her husband – she didn't need this now.
Composing herself, she brought the picture inside. She saw the dark writing on the back of the picture and turned it over to read it. One part of the writing had been what she had written: 'September 1978 at Mom and Dad's' in fading blue ink. The rest was written in stark black:
'For love is strong as death,
Jealousy is as cruel as the grave'
Dani had the most terrible sense of foreboding. She reconsidered her decision to call Commander Rabb immediately. What if someone were to kill Jethro too? She couldn't let ancient history be the cause of someone else being killed. She went to her purse and took Special Agent Todd's card out of her wallet.
0900
Tuesday
April 5
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Major McBurney followed Commander Coleman back to her office after staff call. He and Lieutenant Vukovic had been assigned to a case out of San Diego. It was a court martial of a Marine accused of killing a Nicaraguan civilian during a humanitarian mission. He would be prosecuting and the lieutenant would be defending. They would also be attending the annual JAG conference along with Lieutenant Tali Mayfield. She had been welcomed aboard on Monday.
Faith turned to look at Mike as he sat down, taking in the scowl on his face.
"Aren't you looking forward to San Diego?"
"No, not really." He looked away from her, not wanting to make eye contact.
"Care to elaborate?" She thought it might be about his apparent dislike of Lieutenant Vukovic.
He looked at her directly. "You know why I'm not looking forward to going out there. I might as well have been designated 'babysitter' with Vukovic and now the new lieutenant." He rolled his eyes. "They've got some kind of history, from what I understand… maybe I should be designated the chaperone too."
Faith was surprised; she knew that Michael thought Lieutenant Vukovic was a pain in the ass, but this looked like real resentment. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's nothing." Mike sat forward, resting his forearms on his thighs.
"Okay…now you're starting to worry me. What is it?" She folded her arms across her chest.
"All right…remember the night we… the night we went to McMurphy's. The night he came in as we were finishing dinner?"
"Yes." The color started to rise in her cheeks. She would never forget that night as long as she lived. She had never been kissed like that in her life – and she had never kissed back like that before, either.
"The few times we have been alone in the same room, in the break room or in my office, he keeps bringing that night up. Just stupid little details that no one would even think about. Like how warm the weather was that night or how great the steaks are at McMurphy's. Once he even said something about the parking lot being dark and that they should have it lighted better."
Faith sat forward in her seat. "Why didn't you say something?"
"What would I say…that he commented on the weather?"
He sat back and looked at Faith for a long moment. He hadn't wanted to tell her because it took her so long to let anyone close. He believed his hunch about something not being quite right with Vukovic had been correct. He also thought Vukovic was just the kind of person who could send Faith right back into her shell.
Faith returned his look. "You didn't think I could handle it…did you?"
Mike looked away from her. "I just didn't want to go back to the way it was before, Faith." He looked at her. "I have really enjoyed our time together."
Faith was touched that he felt that way, but didn't like it that he thought she was that fragile. "I appreciate that, Michael, but I'm not as fragile as you think."
He looked at his watch. "I have to get going. I have to be at Andrews by 1300." He stood and walked toward the open door. He turned and looked at her. "I should have talked with you about this. I'm sorry."
She smiled at him; he could get under her skin faster than anyone she had ever met. "Apology accepted."
As he started out of the room, he said, "I guess I need a little more…Faith." He couldn't keep from chuckling when he heard Faith's sharp intake of breath. He walked briskly back toward his office.
"All right, McBurney." She stood and walked around her desk to follow him when Commander Rabb appeared in her doorway.
"Commander Coleman, we just got a call from Special Agent Todd. We are to be at NCIS headquarters by 1000."
Faith stopped immediately and returned to her normal closed expression. Her face was still flushed, so much so that the commander asked her if she was all right. She had picked up her cover and closed her office door. She assured the commander that she was fine as she secretly glared at Michael across the bullpen.
0945
NCIS headquarters
Washington Navy Yard
Gibbs walked into the office swiftly. Kate could feel him walk into the room without having heard or seen him. He was furious and she knew why. He had somehow found out about the picture that was left at his ex-wife's parents' house.
"Kate! Where the hell are Dinozzo and McGee?"
Kate calmly closed the file she had been reviewing and started to stand up. Gibbs was in her face before she even had a chance to push her chair back.
"You'd better have someone covering Dani's family in Virginia Beach, Kate. What the hell are you doing? Are you going to wait till someone kills them, too?"
Before Kate had a chance to answer or react they both heard the booming voice of their director.
"Special Agent Gibbs!"
Gibbs backed off from Kate and looked up to see his boss waiting.
"My office…now."
Gibbs looked back at Kate for a moment. "This isn't over."
Director Morrow heard what had been said. "Special Agent Gibbs…." He turned to walk toward his office, and Gibbs followed him.
Director Morrow walked to his desk and sat down. "Close the door."
Gibbs did as he was asked. He was silent as he sat down in front of the director's desk.
"You have been advised to stay clear of this investigation, Gibbs."
"It's difficult to do when I keep getting thrown back into the middle of it." He looked at his boss directly.
"I'm aware of the situation; however, I am only going to tell you this once more. Stay out of Special Agent Todd's investigation."
"Director Morrow, I…"
The director raised a hand to stop him. "I heard your…concerns as you stated them earlier to Special Agent Todd. There is a security detail at Mrs. Graham's parents' home. There has been since the incident at Little Creek. Special Agents Dinozzo and McGee are following up with Mrs. Graham as we speak."
He paused for a moment, knowing that Gibbs would realize that someone had seen him at the Smiths' residence immediately after he had been directed not to stay off this case.
"Yes, you were seen there, but since you did not approach Mrs. Graham and up until this morning have not involved yourself, I was willing to let that go. I will not, however, tolerate anymore of this behavior, Special Agent. I want you to go home; as a matter of fact, I want you out of here for at least three days. Do whatever you have to do but stay out of this case, understood." The director leaned forward on his desktop and raised his brows.
Gibbs was barely controlling his anger, but he would do ask he was asked. He would stay out of the office, for three days, anyway. He nodded an affirmative.
"That will be all then, Special Agent."
Gibbs stood and left the office. He walked directly to the elevators and met Harm and Faith coming off of them. He brushed past Harm, nearly knocking him backward.
"Nice to see you too, Gibbs." Harm turned and brushed the sleeve of his uniform.
Gibbs looked at him but said nothing as the elevator doors closed. Harm arched an eyebrow and looked at Faith. "Not an easy person to deal with, is he, Commander?"
"No, sir." She gave him a pained smile. The special agent could be a great guy to count on in a tough situation, but more often than not, in the everyday, he was a bastard.
2330
Tuesday
April 5
Harm and Mac's apartment
North of Union Station
Harm lay awake listening to Mac's restful breathing as she slept. He had been mulling over the Graham case in his mind. He just couldn't put Gibbs into the middle of this somehow. The pieces just didn't fit and yet they were linked.
He and Mac both lay on their sides, spooning as usual. Mac leaned into him slightly and he pulled her closer. She drew a deep breath and seemed to slip further into sleep. He reached down and softly caressed her stomach, scooping his hand low to hold the baby in his hand. Mac was showing a bit more now, but she still carried this pregnancy well. She was as beautiful as ever to him and he had told her so. He felt a light thump under his hand and couldn't keep from smiling. He was still so fascinated with the fact of the baby. He couldn't wait until her next ultrasound; he wanted to see how much the baby had grown and that she was all right.
The phone rang, startling Harm and waking Mac.
Harm answered, "Rabb."
"Commander Rabb, this is Special Agent Todd. There has been a huge break in the Graham case. Meet me at headquarters NCIS in an hour. I don't think Commander Coleman should accompany you – she may not have clearance."
"What?"
"I'm sorry to sound so cryptic, Commander, but it is necessary, and once you have the details I'm sure you will understand why."
Harm looked at the clock. "I'll be there."
"Great." With that she ended the call.
"Harm?" Mac wiped the sleep from her eyes.
"It's about the Graham investigation. I have to meet Special Agent Todd at NCIS." He frowned. "This should be interesting."
He dressed quickly and kissed Mac, who followed him to the door and locked it.
Same time
Gibbs residence
Jethro Gibbs stood sipping his bourbon from his coffee mug, taking a rest from his boat building…in his basement. His cell phone rang and he picked it up. "Gibbs."
"Special Agent Gibbs?"
"Fornell?" He recognized the voice of FBI Agent T.C. Fornell.
"That's right. How quickly can you meet me at headquarters NCIS?"
"What do you have?"
"Let's just say I have some information that will tie up Special Agent Todd's case along with the JAGMAN investigation."
"I have been given specific instructions from my superior not to involve myself in this case."
"The director will be here as well. He is aware that I'm calling you."
"I'm on my way."
Chapter 67
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the JAG or NCIS characters. I do not own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story. Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.
Spoilers: Anything up to and including "JAG San Diego" and some NCIS episodes may be 'loosely' referred to, particularly 'Reveille' and 'Bete Noir'. I may also include some references to spoilers from any number of spoiler boards floating around out there.
0045
Wednesday
April 6
NCIS Headquarters
Washington Navy Yard
Director Morrow stood just inside the glass doors of the building, watching Special Agent Gibbs walk toward him. The director knew that he was not going to take what he would learn tonight, well. There was no way around it: they had gotten a hell of a break, though the source may not be to the special agent's liking.
Gibbs joined his boss and each gave the other an acknowledging nod. He followed the director into the building and onto the elevators. When Morrow pushed the button to the basement and the morgue, Gibbs frowned at him, seeming to question him.
"It is our most secure area for this meeting, Special Agent," he answered perceptively.
The elevators opened, and Gibbs saw Kate and Commander Rabb just inside the doors to the morgue. Gibbs was beginning to feel cornered. Something about this did not feel right. It seemed as though everyone was in on the story but him and he didn't like it at all. He walked inside the doors, glancing for a few seconds at Harm and Kate but not acknowledging them.
Harm and Kate looked at each other; Harm had already been briefed before Gibbs had arrived.
He looked back at the director. "Where is Fornell?"
"He will be here momentarily." The director looked toward the doors leading to the basement garage which housed all vehicles used by the medical examiner.
As though on cue, the doors opened and T.C. Fornell walked in, followed by a man dressed in business attire, his eyes shielded by the position of the hat he wore. As they approached the group, Fornell raised his hand and the man accompanying him stopped.
"We have the individuals responsible for the arson and murder at Little Creek."
Gibbs looked hard at the man who had yet to look up and allow his face to be seen. "Is this your informant?"
Fornell nodded the affirmative.
"Do you mind if I question him?" Gibbs's voice was taking on a sarcastic edge.
Just then the man began to look up and he spoke. "You may ask me anything you like, Special Agent Gibbs." He recognized the man's smug and mocking smile right away.
"Ari…" Gibbs held his temper but he took one step toward him. Harm and Agent Fornell stepped closer to Gibbs.
"Why the hell would you do anything to help us with this?"
Ari had taken Kate hostage in this building, and he had shot and wounded one of his people – Jackson had still not returned to full duty. He had not been able to prosecute him due to his Mousaad/ Hamas double agent status. Gibbs had been able to repay Ari to a degree; he had given him a shoulder injury much the same as Ari had given Jackson.
Ari feigned offense and said, "Why would I not help you, Gibbs? We are friends, are we not? We have so many…shared experiences." He returned to his mocking smile.
"Enough Ari." Kate turned toward Gibbs. "The pictures were not related to the arson and murder at Little Creek."
He looked at Kate as though he did not believe her, but said nothing. Kate looked at Ari.
"It was part of a game he was playing."
Ari answered, "You should not have shot me…I was in a great deal of pain for many weeks."
"What the hell are you talking about? If you knew about this, why didn't you come forward before Master Chief Graham was killed?" He was stepping closer.
"I was made aware only after the fact, Special Agent Gibbs." Ari placed his hand on his chest. "I would never withhold that kind of information. We are on the same side my friend, brothers in arms…in the war on terror."
"Brothers in arms don't shoot or torture each other…my friend." Gibbs returned his apparent sarcasm.
"Who got access to those pictures and why were they sent to me and to my ex-wife?"
Ari smiled. "Ah…yes…Dani, such a lovely woman." His voice took on the same quality it had when he taunted her about Kate or Jackson.
Gibbs understood then that it had been Ari who tormented him…them. He had used this opportunity to get back at him. Gibbs did not believe him. He swiftly stepped closer and Fornell and Harm stepped up, keeping Ari out of Gibbs's reach.
"Why the hell should we believe him?" Gibbs wanted to break his neck.
Ari stepped back, enjoying the effect of his taunt on his nemesis.
Kate spoke up. "The evidence we gathered at the crime scene is directly linked to the individuals that Ari informed us of."
"That doesn't mean that he is innocent. There is more to this. "He could feel it in his gut. He knew that Ari wasn't doing this out of the goodness of his heart. Harm and Fornell had backed off slightly, allowing Gibbs to see him.
"Your lack of faith wounds me, Special Agent Gibbs."
He had gotten what he came for that night. He had seen the result of the torment he was able to place in the special agent's mind.
"I must say, though, that your perseverance in your investigation impressed me. Although I do hope your superiors will look into security lapses in this building. You never know who might be able to breach it and get all the way in, even into your office, Special Agent Gibbs."
Gibbs had reigned himself in and decided to return the jab.
"Is your shoulder healing nicely, Ari?"
He would never regret shooting him; he wished he could have done more. He hated double agents. The only thing their existence proved was that there were people who had no loyalty, other than to themselves. In trusting them there was a 50 chance that you would be the one betrayed. With so much at stake, he didn't think that percentage was high enough to warrant his trust.
"I'm doing very well, thank you for your concern." The false sentiment hung in the air.
The director spoke. "This is over. Fornell, get him out of here."
Fornell and Ari had turned and were walking toward the doors with Gibbs's piercing gaze following them. Just as Ari walked out the door he looked over his shoulder at Gibbs; his sarcastic and smug smile continuing to taunt him. This was not over, and they both knew it.
"Commander Rabb, you will advise the Judge Advocate General of what has transpired here, with the proper discretion. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir." The director's implication was that Ari's role in the capture of the suspects would never be officially acknowledged.
The director looked at Kate. "If you and the commander will excuse us?"
Harm and Kate began to walk toward the elevators.
"I will expect a full report on my desk by 1300 tomorrow, Special Agent."
Kate acknowledged his request and they exited the room. She walked with Harm to the entrance of the building.
"You understand now why Commander Coleman could not accompany you?"
"Yes, I do." He paused just inside the doors before walking out. "Sounds like its pretty personal between Ari and Gibbs."
Kate nodded. "We had an incident last year. Ari took a hostage and wounded a member of our forensics team. Gibbs never really got over Ari's ability to walk away from the incident with impunity due to his double agent status."
"Spy games." Harm shook his head and looked at the special agent, suddenly glad he was at JAG and not playing spook anymore.
"Yeah." She wasn't really wild about them either but they were a fact of life here.
"I have to agree with Gibbs, though; I don't think Ari did this out of the goodness of his heart. It has been my experience that no spook ever does anything if there isn't something in it for him and all the other players in the game be damned."
Kate looked at Harm without answering, her expression guarded.
"The arson of the home and the murder of a SEAL who –happened- to be Gibbs's ex-wife was no coincidence, Special Agent Todd. Someone seems to want to make this personal, very personal for Gibbs."
Kate couldn't say any more without feeling like she was betraying Gibbs. He and the commander weren't enemies, but there was no love lost between them, either. She extended her hand to shake Harm's.
"Thank you, Commander."
Harm smiled slightly, understanding and appreciating her discretion. "Anytime, Special Agent."
At that same time in the morgue…
The director and Gibbs stood between two autopsy tables facing each other, each man leaning against one of them.
"Special Agent Gibbs, I have never considered myself an unreasonable or rigid man. I have always given you a certain amount of license in your investigations, within the law."
Gibbs knew what was coming. He had to have heard about the amount of investigating he had done on his own. He crossed his arms and waited.
"You already know what I am going to say."
"Yes." He was going to volunteer anything but he did know.
"You contacted Agent Fornell; you followed up with the other members of Master Chief Graham's SEAL team…. I could go on." He had not expected this from Gibbs; the man might have bent the rules more than once, but until now, he had never broken them.
"Director Morrow…"
He held his hand up to stop him. "I have no choice but to place this in your personnel file. You were warned more than once and yet you continued to interfere."
Gibbs decided that if it was going into his personnel file, he may as well say what was on his mind.
"We don't have the whole story, Director Morrow. You know it and I know it."
"Special Agent Gibbs, there was more at stake here than the incident at Little Creek. The arrests of the individuals responsible will be in the media tomorrow, but we were able to get more substantial intel than that."
They had been able to arrest 4 young men from a cell there in Virginia. They had been attending a 'jihad academy' not 30 miles from Washington D.C. They had the men responsible for the death of Master Chief Graham and a door through which they would be able to infiltrate terror cells here in America.
Gibbs still knew in his gut that they would regret this. He did not know how, but he knew they would.
"Will that be all, sir?" There was no point in pursuing this, since he wasn't going to be told more than he already had been.
The director nodded in the affirmative.
Gibbs turned and left the room without a backward glance. He knew he was already on thin ice with the director but at this point he didn't give a damn. He took the elevator up to their office level. He saw Kate standing in her office space perusing a file. When he approached her she was startled. A picture fell from the file folder. It was the one that had been taped to the door at Dani's parents.
Gibbs picked up the picture and looked at it impassively. "Do we still have a security detail covering Mrs. Graham?"
"Yes, but after the arrests are announced the FBI will take over."
Gibbs thought that was at least one positive. Fornell would keep him posted if anything should come up. He nodded and then walked away, taking the picture he had picked up from the floor with him. Kate thought about stopping him – the picture belonged in the case file – but she thought better of it. This had been difficult for him.
She didn't blame him for not wanting the picture to be part of a file kept in this office. It was highly personal and Gibbs was a private person. It had made her uncomfortable to even look at it. It was just a couple obviously in love and in a loose embrace. What had made it so intimate and therefore uncomfortable for her was the unguarded love and desire on his face. She hadn't seen Gibbs as being capable of showing that kind of emotion and it embarrassed her for reasons she could not explain.
If there were any questions about the missing picture from the file she would handle them. It wasn't worth it to pry further into Gibbs's life than she had to for the purposes of this investigation.
Gibbs took the elevator to the ground floor and walked out of the building. He unlocked his Intrepid, got in and reached into his breast pocket, taking out the picture. The lights from the parking lot allowed a clear view. He remembered that day clearly: it hadn't really been anything special, just a visit with her parents, an unguarded moment captured in an instant. Had he ever been than young…had she? Suddenly he felt a loss that he had never allowed himself to feel. He felt a tug on his heart toward something he knew that there was no road back to. Gibbs replaced the picture in his pocket, then started his vehicle and put it in gear.
He thought that the vehicle was suddenly too quiet and so he decided to turn on the radio.
"Classic Rock…WCAP…Jackson Browne."
It was a song from their time, his and Dani's, so Gibbs leaned forward and turned it up.
'Looking through some photographs I found inside a drawer
I was taken by a photograph of you
There were one or two I know that you would have liked a little more
But they didn't show your spirit quite as true
You were turning 'round to see who was behind you
And I took your childish laughter by surprise
And at the moment that my camera happened to find you
There was just a trace of sorrow in your eyes.
Now the things that I remember seem so distant and so small
Though it hasn't really been that long a time
What I was seeing wasn't what was happening at all
Although for a while our path did seem to climb
But when you see through love's illusion there lies the danger
And your perfect lover just looks like the perfect fool
So you go running off in search of a perfect stranger
While the loneliness seems to spring from your life
Like a fountain from a pool
Fountain of sorrow, fountain of light
You've known that hollow sound of your own steps in flight
You've had to hide sometimes, but now you're all right
And it's good to see your smiling face tonight…
Gibbs reached back into his pocket and looked at Dani again, her sweet smile and the love so evident on her face. He was glad she had come through this all right; she had always been stronger than he had ever believed. He gave her picture a sad smile and returned it to his pocket.
It was time to listen to something else. He pushed seek on his radio, and it sang out "Shot gun…shoot em 'fore he run now..." Junior Walker and the All Stars…..now –that- was music. It also seemed appropriate when he thought of Ari. He smiled at the thought of his being 'in a great deal of pain for many weeks.'
"All right…that's better." And with that Gibbs accelerated to a rate of speed that matched his music.
Harm had been on the interstate for just a few minutes when a vehicle blew by him. Although it was dark, he recognized the vehicle. It was Gibbs speeding down the highway; he looked as though he were going 90 miles per hour.
He shook his head, thinking that he didn't envy him tonight. Gibbs had had a personal stake, although indirect, in this spy game. He had stood there and watched his superior pull the rug right out from under him, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.
He had been there, only to go home alone with nothing and no one there for him. It had taken Paraguay for him to really see what he could lose and how terribly tired he was of all the games, spy and otherwise.
Where had he been a year ago tonight? It occurred to him how completely his life had changed in the space of one year. The last six months had been unbelievable. He had experienced nearly unbearable pain and inexpressible joy, and through it all Mac had always been there.
He was suddenly so grateful that he would be returning to his apartment to find her sleeping in his bed. Harm knew when he slipped under the covers she would turn automatically into his arms, barely waking, to the place they both knew she belonged.
No, he did not envy Gibbs tonight at all.
1200
Sunday
April 10
Faith Coleman's apartment
Alexandria, Virginia
Faith was surprised by a knock on her door. She looked through the security lens to see Michael waiting. He was in uniform. She unlocked and opened the door.
"Michael?"
"I'm sorry I didn't call first, Faith. I just got back in from San Diego. Do you have a few minutes?" He clearly had something on his mind.
"Sure, come on in."
"Thanks." He took off his cover and walked into her apartment.
"Coffee?"
"Yeah, that would be great." He seemed distracted and more than a little uncomfortable.
Faith went into her kitchen and began making the coffee and getting their mugs down from the cabinet. She had a studio apartment and the kitchen was open to the living area.
"Tell me what's going on, Michael – you have me worried." She looked at him with concern. She knew this had to have something to do with Vukovic.
"It's a long story; maybe I had better wait till you're finished with the coffee." He was walking back and forth between her kitchen island and the window. He was more preoccupied than she had ever seen him.
Faith finished the coffee and brought their mugs to the dining room table and sat down. "What happened, Michael?"
Mike sat down and placed his fingertip on the coffee cup rim. "I had another –altercation- with Lieutenant Vukovic. It wasn't only that, though – God… I don't know where to begin, Faith."
She was starting to get angry; he was still treating her like she was going to shatter at any moment. She gave him a direct and impatient glare. "Tell me."
Mike looked down at his cup. "You know that I said I didn't trust Vukovic."
"Yes." She had been right.
"In the case we were trying, the government ended up dropping the case against Corporal Duran when new evidence was discovered. I made the motion after I did some investigation with the help of a Lieutenant Graves at North Island."
"Lieutenant Graves?" Faith had never heard about her before.
"Yes, she came highly recommended to General Creswell. She may join us at JAG in the near future."
"I'm sorry, go on."
"After the case was dismissed, we were all at TJ's. It was Friday and the bar was packed. I didn't really know anyone there except Vukovic, but I went anyway, just to keep from spending most of my night in a hotel room."
He shook his head and pushed his chair back. He wished he had never gone to that stupid bar, especially in the company of a snake like Vukovic. He stood and walked toward her living room, then turned to look at her. He continued.
"We had a few drinks… when an old acquaintance of Vukovic's shows up."
Faith didn't like the sound of this. Was it a woman that he wanted to be the one to tell her about first? She waited a few moments and then impatiently said, "Go on."
"His name was Mark Robbins."
Faith stood up and walked into her kitchen and stood at the sink with her back to him. He had been Lieutenant Mark Robbins. The man who had tormented her and embarrassed her before she left JAG San Diego.
"Faith, I didn't want to tell you, but I have to, because there is more. I know this has to be hard for you, but you're my friend and I need your advice."
She heard the pleading sound in his voice, something else she had never heard before. If she didn't want him to treat her like she was fragile, then she needed to stop acting like it. She turned and looked at him and realized how hard it must have been to come here today.
"I'm all right, Michael. Tell me the rest."
"Robbins is still a lieutenant, and he and Vukovic were coworkers at one time. I didn't place him until Vukovic said we had a mutual acquaintance. I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Vukovic mentioned your name and they both…"
Mike wouldn't go on and repeat what they had done. It would hurt her, and he wasn't going to do that.
"I could have broken them in half." He paused for a moment. They had given each other a knowing look. Mike could still see Robbins's suggestive leer.
"Knowing Mark, I can only imagine what was said." She looked at him, her countenance clear and determined. "Go on."
"I thought that Vukovic got that I had had enough, but then he began to talk about the case. He did as he had before, bringing up some of the details of the case, some details were minor…others were not. When he spoke, it was almost as though every other point had a double meaning. Then it occurred to me: at one point while we were negotiating a possible plea agreement, he seemed ready to deal, then out of the blue he had no interest in a deal of any kind…It was as though he knew the case against his client wouldn't stand up in court."
"I don't understand. Do you think he tampered with evidence?" Faith thought he surely couldn't be that stupid.
"I can't prove it, but yes, I do." He looked at her directly. "There is one more thing."
She wondered what more there could be.
"I hit him." Mike looked at her and then away, suddenly ashamed of his lack of self control, especially in the presence of an officer he respected and one he wanted to respect him.
Faith was surprised. They were junior officers, and either of them could cause him a great deal of trouble. "You hit whom?"
"I hit them both, actually." He turned away from her completely, looking out the window at nothing, his mind still reeling with the probable consequences of his actions.
"Why?"
"Faith, I don't think it's necessary to tell you every detail." He again wouldn't repeat the callous and hurtful things that had been said and implied.
Mike had decided to walk away. He wasn't playing Vukovic's game, and he had wanted to retrace his steps on his investigation so that he could be sure evidence hadn't been tampered with. He'd gotten up from the bar stool and started to leave, when Lieutenant Robbins decided to volley a parting shot.
"So how is the 'iceberg' ... I mean. Commander Coleman?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and contempt.
Mike had turned to look at him when Vukovic decided to chime in. "Oh, the iceberg has melted – just ask the major."
Something in Mike had snapped, and he'd had Vukovic by the shirt before he knew it. He'd wanted to bash both their sleazy faces in, but he'd settled for bashing Lieutenant Robbins in the face with Lieutenant Vukovic's head.
"Were you in uniform?" She hoped not.
"No."
'At least there is that,' Faith thought. She walked over to where he stood and looked at his hands. They didn't bear the marks of fighting. She took them in both of hers and asked
"What did you hit them with?"
Mike was still feeling pretty ashamed of himself. He was looking down when he told her.
Faith suddenly pictured the scene with Mark's face being smashed by Vukovic's head. She let go of his hands and covered her mouth with the fingertips of one of her hands to keep from laughing out loud.
"You hit Mark with Vukovic?"
He heard the smile in her voice. "Hey… it's not funny." At least –she- wasn't angry with him.
"I know, I know it isn't, but I….:" She had to walk away for a moment; it would be funny if they didn't have to worry about what both those sleazes would do.
He turned to look at her, and she looked back at him and smiled. She walked back to him and stood directly in front of him. She realized then how terribly tired he looked. He probably hadn't slept at all since this happened. She also realized that his reaction to them both had a lot to do with her. She was overcome by the need to pull him into her arms, so she gave into it and did just that.
"Thank you, Michael." She drew back and he gave her a tired smile.
"You're welcome." He pulled her back into his embrace. He hadn't realized just how much he needed this just now.
Faith held on for just a few more moments, and then she slipped out of his embrace and picked up her telephone.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm calling someone who can help us."
"This is not your problem, Faith."
She looked back at him directly and said, "Yes it is, Michael."
The person that she was calling answered his phone.
"Rabb."
TBC