A Notorious JAG

Chapter 5

Disclaimers as previously stated

Spoilers: Any JAG episode up to and through season 9 and the movie 'Notorious'

A/N: Many thanks to Aerogirl for her beta reading and excellent input.

1649

Thursday

October 30

Castelo office towers

Paul Prescott sat at his desk with Harm waiting by the window. Mac had called five minutes before, requesting a meeting with them. Mac knocked once and then stepped inside the door.

Prescott stood. "Mac."

"Thank you for seeing me so quickly."

"It isn't a good idea to come here." Prescott didn't want to take any chances with this mission.

"I'm sorry, I had to speak with someone and I couldn't reach Ha...Mr. Rabb. Something has come up and I need your advice before I proceed." Mac spoke quickly; she didn't want to say this with Harm in the room but there was no way around it.

Prescott was silent and Harm turned to look at her, his expression unreadable.

"Hardy has asked me to move into his condo in Barra. He wants an answer when we have dinner tonight."

"It's a big step Mac." Prescott warned.

"Yes, I know but I want to continue – I feel close to learning everything, even more than we intended."

Harm felt as though she had struck him with that announcement. He turned away and looked out of the window again, regaining his composure quickly.

Prescott raised his brows. "This definitely increases your risk." He looked at Harm. "What do you think, Rabb?"

He turned toward Prescott with his mask of indifference in place. "I think it's a useful idea, but won't that slow our investigation a bit? Hardy may feel he's on his honeymoon." He didn't even try to hide his sarcasm.

Mac's heart sank; the hard look in Harm's eyes pierced her soul.

"I think we can count on Mac to keep things on track," Prescott answered him.

"Since you don't seem to need my input, Prescott, I think I'll call it a day."

Harm walked out without giving Prescott a chance to answer him. Suddenly the fact that he had made the remark at all embarrassed him. He knew he was being unreasonable, but when it came to Mac, in this situation, he could not seem to speak or hear reason just now. He needed to get out of there before he blew the whole mission.

Mac sat, looking down at her hands clasped together in her lap. She had not looked at Harm again after his remark about a honeymoon. She couldn't have borne it. The contempt she heard in his voice said it all. The only thing keeping her going was the chance that they would get Sadiq and whoever else was involved with him directly. Prescott spoke to her and pulled her from her reverie.

"I know this can't be easy for you, Mac, but if it is any consolation to you, you are doing great work."

Mac nodded an acknowledgement and continued. "If I have a bit more time I think I can get what we need and get out of Hardy's apartment before he realizes what we've discovered. I think I know where we will find the information we need."

Prescott told her to continue.

"Hardy carries a memory key on his keychain. He carries it all the time; he says it is his portable office. If he is involved in any business other than with cana, I believe it would be on that memory key."

"Memory key?"

"It is a portable hard drive; it's sometimes called a memory stick or a thumb drive." She answered him.

Prescott thought for a moment, considering what Mac had said.

"What we need is an opportunity to get the memory key from his key chain, get it to an independent unit, and send attachments of the files they contain to our database. If he has anything, it is bound to be encrypted – it wouldn't be something you could read and pass on to us."

Mac nodded. Her adrenaline was beginning to pump, and things were starting to fall into place. She had a sense of fighting back for the first time in a long while; the part of her that felt helpless while she was being held by Sadiq was beginning to feel stronger. At the same time she wanted to complete this mission and get as far and as fast away from Harm and South America as she could get.

Getting away from Hardy was something she also wanted to do as soon as possible. He seemed to be enjoying the chase, and since she hadn't moved in with him yet, she could put off any type of physical relationship for a bit longer. Hardy's conceit would never allow him to believe that the gooseflesh she felt rise on her skin was not from the thrill of his touch, but of her skin crawling.

"Mr. Prescott, I think we need to move on this as soon as we can. Things seem to be very fluid right now. Hardy does have a condo here, but he has to return to Paraguay within the next week and if I move in with him, he may expect me to travel with him as well. Without solid backup in Paraguay, I think it would be a mistake to accompany him."

"I have no objections to that. You have already given us a great deal to work with. Mr. Van Duyn's involvement is of great interest. If we can escape detection, even after we complete the mission, he may be an unwilling participant in tracking Sadiq."

Prescott pondered this a moment longer. "I think we need to get Rabb and a laptop into the condo at Barra. I want to keep you as far from suspicion as I can until we know what we have on that memory key. If the information is good, then you are out of there, even before you move in. Try and get Hardy to throw a large party, say that you want to invite Rabb to show him that you have chosen a new life…or something like that. The word is that he dislikes Rabb even more than he did Agent Webb. You shouldn't have too difficult of a time."

"I can do that, sir."

"It's Paul, Mac…I guess you can't take the Marine out of the girl…"

Mac looked up at him quickly.

"I'm sorry, Mac…woman."

They laughed softly at Prescott's hasty correction, said their goodbyes and went to arrange their tasks.

1300

Friday

October 31 2003

Castelo office towers

Rio de Janeiro

Harm entered Prescott's office to find that another gentleman was waiting for him along with Prescott.

"Rabb, come in…this is Senor Garza. He is my Brazilian counterpart."

Harm approached the man and shook his hand, nodding in acknowledgement. He didn't like this; he didn't trust anyone here outside of Prescott and Mac.

Prescott must have sensed his unease and moved to reassure him. "Senor Garza has been very helpful in tracking Hardy's movements in the tri border region. He and his country want to rid themselves of Hardy's ilk and any remnant of Al Qaeda as much as we do."

"Well I hope we can assist him with that problem." He still didn't trust him, but he would not pursue his thoughts in this matter. There was no point. He had been summoned to Prescott's office to further discuss their next step in this mission.

"We need to get into Hardy's condo and retrieve a memory key that Mac believes will tell us what we want to know about Hardy's business. You will attend a gathering at the condo tomorrow night." He pushed a small silver box, slightly larger than a cigarette case, across his desk toward Harm.

"Mac will get the memory key from Hardy's keychain before you arrive at the party. You will use this hand held unit to send copies of all his files by attachment to our database and get it back to Mac before Hardy suspects anything."

Harm picked up the unit and looked it over, then slipped it into the inside pocket of his jacket.

"Mac has been able to convince Hardy to throw a party tomorrow night to celebrate her agreement to move in with him. He is very anxious for you to attend…he is very sensitive about you. Apparently he sees you as a threat to him; this party is a way for Mac to solidify Hardy's trust. I don't have to tell you how essential this is. The sooner we are able to decipher what those files contain, the sooner we can get Mac out of there."

Senor Garza spoke up. "Gentlemen, I mean no offense, but for so much to be riding on the shoulders of a woman…can she be trusted with this kind of responsibility?"

"Senor Garza, Mac is first, last and always a Marine. She has put her life on the line on three continents and countless missions without hesitation. I don't think you have to worry about trusting her with that kind of responsibility." Harm could not control his outspoken irritation at the Brazilian agent's attitude; his defense of her was automatic.

"What he means, Senor Garza…" Prescott tried to explain but Harm cut him off.

"What I mean, Garza, is that she is strong enough to compromise everything for the sake of your government and mine. I don't think questioning her dedication to duty or loyalty makes much sense at this point….do you?" Harm voice had an edge and he had taken two steps toward Garza.

"Rabb."

Harm knew he had gone one step further than was necessary; he didn't want to jeopardize this mission or the station chief's working relationship with his counterpart. He looked at Prescott and then at Garza. He held the Brazilian man's gaze as he spoke and walked toward the door. "Withdrawn, my apologizes …If you'll excuse me, I have a party to prepare for."

He walked out of the office and closed the door behind him without a backward look. His last statement to Senor Garza still ran through his mind over and over, 'I don't think questioning her dedication to duty or loyalty makes much sense…' He had been questioning her loyalty to him since they began this mission. He pushed away the feeling of regret and began to focus on the task at hand. Time for regret would come later…as it always did.

1945

Saturday

November 1, 2003

Hardy's condo

Barra

Mac stood on the balcony of the second floor of the condo. She had arrived a few minutes before and had been shown to a sitting room just off of Hardy's bedroom. Mac could hear the shower running; this was her opportunity to get the memory key without Hardy's knowledge. There would likely be no need to use it tonight in the few hours they were having the party, so Mac believed she could get it back on his keychain before he had missed it.

The door connecting the two rooms was ajar, and she could see and hear that Hardy was still in the shower. She walked swiftly to the dressing table where his keys lay and picked them up. Suddenly she heard him turn off the shower, and watched the doorway to the shower as she removed the memory key and placed the remaining keys on his ring back in the jacket pocket of his suit. She turned and walking quietly back to toward the sitting room.

"Sarah."

Mac stopped and turned toward him, a soft and knowing smile on her face, revealing none of the heart pounding anxiety she felt in her chest.

Hardy walked toward her with only a towel wrapped around his waist. He reached for both of her hands and took them in his. Mac kept them both closed as he held them. He lifted one hand, thankfully the one without the memory key to his lips. He opened it and kissed her palm.

Mac spoke in a voice that belied the repulsion she felt. "I'm sorry to interrupt your shower. I was shown up to your sitting room. I hope that's all right."

"Oh, it's more than all right. Too bad our guests are due at any time." He pulled her into his arms. If he thought he sensed contentment when she sighed, he was mistaken. The sigh of relief Mac gave had everything to do with the fact that he had forgotten to kiss her other palm and that she had escaped anything physical with him once again.

Hardy kissed her quickly and released her. "I'll be right with you. You look lovely tonight, Sarah."

Mac had chosen a black full length gown with long sleeves; it had a plunging back and a flatteringly low neckline. It was a classic look, with a gold link belt that accentuated her slim waist. She wore the diamond earrings that Hardy had given as a gift for agreeing to move in with him. Mac had been able to delay the actual move for a couple of days; she hoped that would be enough time for Prescott to get what he needed from those files.

One hour later…

Mac stood with Hardy in the foyer of the condo. They had been greeting their guests for about half an hour. Hardy turned toward her and smiled. He leaned in to kiss her cheek and whispered, "Looks like all our guests have arrived."

The unspoken message was that Harm hadn't come and he had truly won her. Mac smiled at him, squeezing the memory key tightly in her hand. They moved into one of the large sitting areas and began to mingle with their many guests. It was quite an international gathering. Hardy had explained that some were local businessmen, some were foreign embassy personnel. Mac recognized Van Duyn and Hasni, and both men raised their glasses to her. She smiled and nodded her acknowledgement.

For reasons she couldn't explain, she sensed it when Harm came into the condo. She turned to look at him, and he looked so strikingly handsome that it almost took her breath away. For a moment she couldn't see anything but him. He was dressed in a well-cut black suit which accentuated his broad shoulders and strong body. To say he cut an imposing figure would have been an understatement.

Harm saw Mac turn toward him; she looked stunningly elegant in her black gown with her hair swept up from her neck and diamonds gleaming at her ears. Their eyes locked as she walked toward him. They both seemed to decide at the same time to look away and get back in the game. The magnetic pull between them was still there, as it always had been.

Mac reached for his hand and he took it. He smiled at her like an old friend and took the memory key discreetly from her hand. He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek in greeting.

"Where have you been?" Mac still held a pleasantly amused look on her face.

"Don't worry about it, everything is under control."

Mac turned and walked along with him as they approached the bar in one of the two large sitting rooms on the lower floor of the condo. Harm noticed that Hardy saw him and that his eyes were following them.

"Prescott was right; he's pretty sensitive about you, isn't he?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

A woman approached them and spoke to Harm, startling them both. "Mr. Rabb, do you remember me?"

"Of course, senora…" Harm couldn't remember her name for the life of him.

"Wonderful, young men usually have such short memories….may I?" She looked at Mac, then took Harm's arm and guided him away.

Mac walked back into the foyer and tried to think of a way to get Harm's attention and direct him to the elevator that would take him to the third floor of the condo. Hardy had a study there; Harm would have complete privacy there and be able to send the files without worry of discovery.

She looked around to see where Hardy was and found that he was approaching her.

"Rabb bothering you much?"

"No, of course not – he's drowning his sorrows." Mac gave him a knowing look, as though they had a shared secret. She was hoping all the while that this would convince him that she could be trusted.

"Are you having a good time?" Hardy was satisfied so far with what he had seen.

"Great. I didn't realize there would be so many people attending your party tonight." Mac looked around at the more than 100 guests.

"You would be surprised how many people you meet in the import-export business." He gave her a sly grin, and then someone he saw over Mac's shoulder caught his attention.

"I have to speak with someone. Will you be all right?"

"I'll be fine."

Hardy kissed her cheek and stepped into the sitting room.

Mac looked back at Harm, who appeared to be totally captivating the senora on his arm. Mac shook her head and walked toward him. Even with his life on the line he could be utterly charming, if the look on the senora's face was indication.

"Harm, I don't believe you've seen all of Edward's condo. Why don't you let me give you a tour?" Mac took Harm's other arm.

"I'd like that." He turned back toward his admirer. "If you'll excuse me, senora?" Harm placed his hand over hers.

"Of course." The woman was nearly starry eyed with admiration.

Mac walked Harm toward the back of the condo. The elevators were well hidden from the view of the rest of the guests. In moments they were in Hardy's study upstairs. Harm immediately took out the hand held unit, opened it and inserted the memory key.

"How much time will you need?"

"Give me ten minutes."

Mac walked back toward the door but she stopped when Harm spoke to her. "Mac."

"Yes?" Mac turned to look at him questioning.

"Be careful." He look was direct and without guile or sarcasm.

"You too," Mac answered, pleasantly surprised.

Mac returned to the party and to Hardy's arm. What she heard was mostly small talk until Hasni approached him. He told him that he needed to speak with him privately. Hardy seemed a bit put off by Hasni's insistence. He looked at Mac and his guests and then told Hasni, "I'll be with you shortly; I have some people I need to speak with. I'll find you."

Hansi was clearly insulted but backed away from him. Mac's hid the panic she felt rise up in her. She had to get Harm out of the study. What if Hardy took Hasni there to speak with him?

"Will you excuse me, Edward? I'll be right back – I think I see someone I know."

Hardy kissed her cheek. "Of course."

Mac kept her demeanor calm as she worked her way back to the elevators. When she reached the third floor she swiftly but quietly walked into Hardy's study.

"Are you finished?" Mac whispered urgently.

"Almost," Harm answered her calmly.

"You have to hurry. Hardy may be up here in a few minutes. Hasni asked to speak with him in private."

Harm looked at the screen. He had nearly finished, but he had to get it all. There appeared to be two minutes left in the download on the last attachment.

"Relax, Mac."

"Relax? We can't blow this now."

"We'll blow it if we don't relax, so calm down." The download finished and Harm gave the memory key back to Mac. He closed the palmtop and placed it inside his jacket.

They heard voices and Mac recognized one as Hardy. Harm killed the lights and reached for Mac. "I'm going to kiss you."

"No, Hardy already suspects that we..." Mac pressed her hands to his chest but he pulled her to him forcefully.

"That's what I want him to think." His voice was a rough whisper, his lips just inches from hers. Harm took her mouth, kissing her deeply; there was no light nip to her lips this time. This was almost feral and so needy that Mac could not keep from responding in kind.

Mac felt it again, that love that she had hidden away in her heart; she pulled away from him for a moment. "Harm…please." She then tightened her embrace and kissed him again, giving herself over to him.

Harm nearly lost himself in her kiss but he pulled back from her and they looked deeply into each others eyes. They had returned to that place. The place where there were no lies and no pretense. Was she still his? He could have sworn he felt it when she kissed him. A distant part of his brain and his peripheral vision registered Hardy opening the door. He heard him say, "Give me a few minutes, Marwan." He closed the door, leaving the man waiting.

Harm whispered, "Push me away."

Mac did as she was asked as she saw Hardy approaching them.

"Am I intruding?" He flipped on a light switch and a soft light flooded the room as he entered it.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I had to meet with him here… he threatened to make a scene if I didn't. I didn't want to embarrass you with this."

Hardy looked at Mac, wanting to believe her but not believing her completely.

Harm spoke up, trying to redirect him. "It's true, Hardy. I couldn't believe she didn't love me. I tried to make her feel for me what I feel for her, but I see now…that I can't." Harm looked at her, the pain on his face making Mac's heart ache.

"Please go." She looked away from him as tears began to fill her eyes.

Harm looked at her again, longingly. "I'm sorry, Mac."

This was to be an act for Hardy, but he meant what he said from the bottom of his heart. He was sorry for all of the terrible things that had happened between them. There was probably no way back now; too much had been said and done. It was all he could do to walk away from her.

Harm walked past them and left the room, passing Marwan on his way out. The man gave Harm an assessing look but Harm continued to walk toward the elevator. He pushed the button for the first floor and did not turn so that the curious bystander could get a good look at him.

Hardy looked at Mac and said flatly, "We have guests, Sarah. Why don't you go downstairs? I'll join you in a few minutes."

He reached into his pocket and nervously grasped his keys. He watched her walk out of the room and as Marwan entered it he realized that his memory key was not on his keychain.

TBC

A/N: I refer to a memory key in this chapter. Dell calls this small and portable device a key, some refer to it as a memory stick or thumb drive. If the term is unfamiliar I hope this explanation clarified it for you.