A/N: Wow, chapter thirty-three . . . this is officially the longest story I've ever written. Heh heh, that's pretty cool . . . anyways, on with the chapter.
Thanks go out to: Bite Beccy, Bail's Other Daughter, Steelo, Starryeyes10, Kitty X, martini1988, QueenOfAces, froggy0319, alix33, mjag, moonlight, nursejay80, AnMaDeRoNi, snugglebug, jaggurl, Anne, ficchic, dansingwolf, Radiorox, cbw, wishwaters, Rocket Rain, sgcgirl52, tlk29, JJScottishGirl, Blueangel, aj, French-navy girl, Marge, Jane, Tina Frank, highplainswoman, mac AND harm fan, Ali Baba, super ducky, tumblebuttons, AB, Abigiale, macandharmlover, jazzy, vhosek malacath, Britainy, MartiniMac, HighHeel Shoe Lover, Sirus 745, Fan, Pissed off Poet 1, southernqt, BrittanyLS, sugar230, K, Ilovemyselftoday, eggy weg, xobabygurlxo, Reni-Maniac, Cille, ForensicsFreak1988, HMtogether4ever, MaritzaCarmichael, Lara783, janessab, tizy, June, vrbinkaCZ, Cherise, DD2, Bekka, Lani-LoveNPain, Dessler, mommie, daisymh, Laura, confused, basketball babe8, Strawberry Kittens, rainydays502, S, Broesel, ady, Kristie, writingismything, TV Angel 711, TaTe.ArI.Obsessed.Writers, MiDushiNoSushi, Basketball Babe8, Alex, Angie, Toplesslemon, Jules, prinnie, CJKS, ninjagirl987, Brontesgirl, Jules, Angie Capriatti, lance corporal boils, freezepops, and FoxyWombat for your wonderful reviews!
Back in Action
1048
Clay's Van
Harm's POV
"Are we just going to drive around all day?" I asked wearily from my lying position in the back seat. "Or are we actually going to DO something?"
"Jesus, hold your horses," Clay snaps from the front seat. "We've got to circle a bit to ward off suspicion."
"Suspicion from whom?"
"People."
"Abbas?"
"Maybe," Webb retorted. "Look, I don't know, Rabb, I just want to play it safe, okay? Is that fine with you, your highness?"
I cursed under my breath as I looked out the window from my laying position. These past few days Webb and I had really been at each other's throats. Maybe it was the combination of both our anxiety, maybe it was worry, or maybe we were just fed up with each other, but it seemed as though every minute we were inches away from breaking into a fist fight – with one very small angry auburn haired woman keeping us from killing each other.
"Who are we picking up first?" I asked, shifting a little on the seats. It was alright lying on them, but those damned seat buckles made it a real pain in the ass – unfortunately, quite literally.
"Jake," Webb quipped, turning around the corner.
"This is his apartment?" I asked in confusion, as Webb slowed the van to a roll in front of a tall white building, with shaded windows and a slanted roof. I looked on in confusion – the building didn't look much like anything.
"No," Webb said shortly. "Few blocks to the left is Mac's and his apartment. He's just getting picked up here."
I leap up from my seat so fast I bang my head on the car roof, my hand clutching the back of my head as I wince in pain. "Mac and WHOSE apartment?"
"Jake's," Webb snapped, as Jake threw open the van door and leaped in, swinging it shut behind him as Clay put his foot to the pedal. The car races along the street. I turn to Jake as soon as he's got his seat belt on and punch him in the arm.
"Hey," Jake said feelingly, rubbing his arm. "What was that for?"
"Living with Mac and not telling me about it," I retorted.
Jake leaned over and punched me on the arm.
"What was that for?" I asked in surprise.
"For impregnating her and getting her to tell me."
"You knew before I did!" I exclaimed.
Jake nodded in consideration. "That's true." He leaned over and punched me again. "That's for keeping yourself so uniformed."
"Hey!" I bit back in angry retaliation, drawing my arm level to his.
"Harm, Jake, settle down please," Clay said in a bored monotone voice from the front of the van. "You're acting like five year olds."
Jake grinned at me, "he started it!"
I rolled my eyes. It was going to be a LONG ride . . .
Same Time
Mac and Jake's Apartment
Mac's POV
"Aren't you the sweetest little guy?" I crooned as I held my wailing son in one hand and I big fat cuddly teddy bear in the other, as though prompting him to stop crying. "Oh come on, you just ate – you can't be hungry again."
I cradled Hunter in both arms, finally giving up on Mr. Teddy. "Come on, honey, please stop crying . . ." I practically begged, bouncing him up and down a little but this only resulted in an increase of both magnitude and volume at which he was wailing. "God, you have your daddy's big mouth," I muttered, laying Hunter back down in his crib.
Ding dong.
"Ugh!" I cried in utter exasperation, as I shoved a soother into Hunter's mouth and ran to answer the door. "Sir!" I exclaimed, as I opened the door to reveal the Admiral.
I watched as the Admiral winced slightly as Hunter's relentless cries reached his ears. "A little trouble calming him down?"
"He's been like this the last twenty minutes," I whimpered as I lead the Admiral into what was now the nursery. "He doesn't want . . . anything," I said, pressing a hand to my temple and massaging it slowly. "He just wants to scream his lungs out."
"Ah well," the Admiral sighed, shrugging, while picking Hunter up and rocking him gently. "This is what COs are for."
I have never been more entranced by any deed that the Admiral has performed. As he gently sways Hunter, whispering to him nonsensical words, not only is Hunter NOT screaming, he actually seems to be . . . falling asleep. And never has a sense of admiration become me more powerfully than at that very moment.
"That was brilliant, sir," I whispered as the Admiral gingerly laid Hunter back into his crib. "How did you do that?"
"Practice," the Admiral barked, motioning for us to exit the room so as not to wake Hunter up. I nodded – that was indeed something I did not wish to do any time soon.
"So . . . Mac," the Admiral trailed as we both took a seat on the living room couches, "how's your first week so far?"
"Hectic," I replied drowsily. "He cries, he eats – he cries some more, eats some more, fills his diapers and then cries a little more."
"He's got Rabb's sense of obedience then," the Admiral grinned, coaxing a tired smile onto my face. "Listen, is Holter around?"
"Jake?" I asked, as I put my feet up on the edge of the arm chair. "No, he left not five minutes ago."
"Dammit," the Admiral whispered, suddenly getting up. "Okay, well – I have to go then. Um, I'm sorry to be so quick with my visit but I was really hoping to catch Holter and – I'll pop in some other time, okay?"
"Yeah, sure," I replied, a tad confused. "Do you want me to give him a message or something?"
"No, it's okay," the Admiral replied briskly, taking one last look at Hunter who was asleep in the nursery before grabbing his jacket off the coat hanger. "I'll meet up with him. Look, you and Hunter take care, okay?"
"We'll be fine," I responded quickly, following him as he moved to exit. "Sir, if you don't mind me asking – what's this all about?"
"What's what all about?"
I stared at him stubbornly. "The meetings, the calls . . . what's so secretive that I can't know?" I flashed him a look of utter desperation. "You didn't even KNOW Jake before Hunter made his grand entrance – and now you're paying him visits?"
"Mac," the Admiral said gently. "I'm sure all will be explained to you in good time."
I could not stop the scowl that worked its way onto my face.
"Now, I really must be leaving," the Admiral said, opening the door. "I'm running a tad late for . . . something."
"Bye," I said shortly, watching from the door as the Admiral disappeared down the hall. Sighing bleakly, I turned around and slammed the door behind me – almost immediately followed by the loud wails of my week old son.
I grimaced, picking up Hunter and cradling him maternally. Now, what was it that the Admiral did again?
Same Time
Clay's Car
Harm's POV
"Holter, my man," Shapiro grinned as Jake pulled him into the van, Clay not resting a moment to come to a full halt before blasting off at full speed.
"Long time, no see," Jake grinned back as he and Shapiro clasped hands. "So I hear you're working for yourself now, Tony."
"Pretty much," Shapiro replied shortly. "Ain't much that gotta be done – but when there is, it's worth a heavy price."
Jake looked Shapiro squarely in the eye. "Is it legal?"
Shapiro shrugged and then grinned kind of guiltily. "Well, you see – I know this guy that knows this guy that . . ."
"I don't want to know," Webb cut off from the front seat. "Less illegal stuff I know you do, the less guilty I feel about not turning you in."
"And hello to you too, Webb," Shapiro replied sarcastically from the backseat with me and Jake.
Jake rolled his eyes. "Never mind him, I want to know every detail."
Shapiro grinned, opening his mouth to begin with his story but then catching sight of me. "Hey . . . yeah, you're the father aren't you?" He snaps his fingers as he recollects memory. "Yeah, from the meeting . . . that was your wife giving birth right?"
I internally flinched. "Well, not . . . exactly." Shapiro's eyebrow rose. "She's not my wife."
Shapiro laughed. "Oh, is that all? And here I thought you were going to say you weren't the father."
"Oh he's definitely the father," Jake replied, leaning back in his seat. "The kid acts exactly like him."
"Does he really?" I asked in interest, internally admonishing myself for not asking about Hunter earlier.
"Yup," Jake replied, closing his eyes as sunlight basked in from the car window. "Eats all day, cries all night, and has to have Mac by his side at every waking moment."
"Ha ha," I bit back sarcastically.
"Hey, Clay, who are we picking up next?" Jake hollered as 'Born to Be Wild' broke out over the radio and Shapiro began to sing loudly to it.
"The Kid!" Clay roared back.
This statement caused Shapiro to grin wildly. "Oh yay, The Kid!" He turned to me and Jake. "Real smart guy for only nineteen. If he didn't look like he hadn't hit puberty yet, I would have never thought him to be any younger than us."
"Great to know," Jake said, rolling his eyes. "Hey, Clay, the department know you're using him illegally?"
"Who cares?" Clay responded breezily. "The department's using him illegally."
Slowly, Clay eased the van into a roll as he pulled up to the Public library, flinging the door open for only a second before Teddy White jumped in, Clay wrenching the door closed behind him. Shapiro pulled Teddy into the back seat with him as Jake and I moved over a little bit for more space.
"Great to see you, kiddo!" Shapiro exclaimed enthusiastically, thumping Teddy on his back. Pulling out the portable cooler from the back seat, Shapiro handed us all beers except for Clay who was driving and unnecessarily waved his off. He pushed one into The Kid's hand, Teddy looking absolutely amazed.
"I can't drink beer," he replied in a shocked tone.
Shapiro rolled his eyes. "It's fluid in a bottle – and please don't tell me a genius like yourself can't open a bottle."
Teddy looked down at the beer nervously.
"Oh for god's sake!" Shapiro roared, opening The Kid's bottle and shoving it to him. "Welcome to manhood!" And at that particular point he decided to rejoin the radio with, "Like a true nature's child – We were born, born to be WILD! I can climb so high, I never wanna DIE . . . !"
Jake grinned at me from the middle seat. "He gets a little excited at the prospect of actual work."
"Hey," Shapiro grunted from the back, "I do work."
"Playing cribbage and drinking beer all day doesn't count as work," Jake retorted, high-fiving Shapiro and grinning at The Kid who was savoring the beer in distaste. "It'll take you a while to get used to it," Jake said reassuringly.
"Who's next?" Shapiro hounded Clay, as Webb turned another corner and onto Main Street.
"Sturgis," Clay replied crisply, and wound into the road to Sturgis's apartment.
"He was there at the last meeting too, right?" Shapiro asked Jake. "The one with the stiff buttoned shirt that didn't speak a lot?"
"That was him," I confirmed – even without remembering what Sturgis was wearing that particular day. "But hey, once you get him started on a subject he likes, he'll never get enough words in."
Clay pulled up to the apartment and promptly slammed on the brakes as Sturgis clambered into the van, barely taking his seat in between Shapiro and Teddy before Clay was zooming off again.
"Hello," Sturgis greeted us with a shout over the radio. He then turned to Teddy and Shapiro, on either side of him. "Pleasure to see you again."
"Pleasure's all ours," Shapiro beamed, forcing a beer into Sturgis's hand. "Now, my dearest Webb – who else is there and how many more to go?"
"One more!" Webb called from the front seat. "Admiral AJ Chegwidden!"
"You're kidding me," I said, shifting in my seat as Jake leaned a little when Clay swerved the car around. "He's joining us?"
"Well, he's in on the plan now, Harm," Clay replied, with what I can imagine was a roll of the eyes. "We need the whole team together to operate this."
"Which is why you're leaving Vera out of it?" I challenged stubbornly. "Why you're going behind her back?"
"Hey, some things are better left alone," Jake cut in coolly from beside me and I relented slightly. Vera Azhad was a hot topic between Jake and Webb, and even I knew better than to pursue it.
Clay cut around another corner, braking in time for the Admiral to come running in, panting slightly as he leaped into the front seat beside Webb, barely shutting his door behind him before Clay had once again started up the car.
"Hey all," he replied rather wearily. He turned to Clay, "tried to catch you at Jake's stop but dammit, Webb, you move fast."
"So sorry," Clay grinned. "Hope you had no trouble getting here on time though."
"Oh no trouble," the Admiral said sarcastically, "I just ran." He turned back at us, his eyes almost immediately falling upon Teddy. "How old are you?" He barked. "Twelve?"
"Nineteen," The Kid rebounded indignantly. "I'm an adult."
"You can't drink," the Admiral spat, indicating at the half full bottle Teddy was holding.
Shapiro came to his rescue, "Hey, what happens in the car – stays in the car."
"Yup!" Jake called over the music and the talking. "THE BOYS ARE BACK!"
"BACK IN ACTION!" Shapiro crowed.
"God help me," the Admiral distinctly mumbled.
I grinned wildly as I turned to look at the window, its shaded windows protecting my face from view. I looked up at the sky where the sun shone brightly down upon me. Come and get me, Abbas. I'm not afraid . . .
A/N: Okay, I emailed the website and they haven't got back to me on the whole review reply thing so until they post something official or say I can't reply to reviews, I'll go ahead and reply to them. So here goes:
Sgcgirl52: true, very true . . . actually, I had a whole Harriet/Hunter scene planned out – suffice to say, it's to come! The Roberts won't be kept in the dark for too much longer . . .
Snugglebug: I didn't show any of Vera in this chapter, but there's a lot of her in the next one. More to come, I promise . . .
Starryeyes10: thanks
Eggy weg: thanks, hope you liked this chapter too
JamieAKAaclassyone: ha ha, rather full of yourself aren't you? "All Jamies are smart" – lol, and here my friends say I'm the one that has the tendency to compliment myself . . . and okay, I can sort of see Shaniquan – it's a stretch, but still plausible . . . but Shaniquo? That sounds like a brand of coffee or something like that. Yup, we'll have one latte, one espresso, and one shaniquo – to go, please.
Froggy0319: Ah, you're so not a Webbie . . . lol, but yes – Jake's character is very . . . how shall I say it? Lovable. Yes – that's it. It's very easy to like Jake. Webb . . . you have to work at.
Brontesgirl: thanks, I like writing other people's POVs. I spend practically all day making up my outside and characters and only using Harm and Mac would be such a waste . . . LOL, and I say this quite well aware of the fact that this chapter was all Harm and Mac POVs but what can I say? More chapters, more diversity . . .
Abigaile: haha, you never know! I haven't said anything about Vera's side yet . . . that's to come in the next chapter.
Alix33: "So, we've got Webb, Harm, Jake, Vera, Catherine, maybe the admiral and maybe Sturgis and that v. young computer geek guy that Webb has been using illegally on the Abbas-catching team? And Mac will have to be acting JAG and raise little HARM while the rest of'em go off Abbas-hunting?" – yep, sounds about right – except you forgot Shapiro.
Pissed Off Poet 1: omg, I sooooo would give you a preview of the sequel except even if I hinted in the slightest way how it was going to start – it would totally give the ending of Full Throttle away. And believe me, Full Throttle has . . . an explosive ending. Oh, you'll see. Soon enough, my friend, soon enough . . .
Jaggurl: thanks, lol – even though I had no reaction to the news in this chapter. That's all to come.
ForensicsFreak1988: Ah, you HAVE to update Colors! It's your moral obligation to us readers! And I'll definitely check out your two other Cold Case ones . . . I think I've read one already, other than Colors. Here, I'll make you a deal – you update fast then I'll update fast!
MartizaCarmichael: lol, thanks – hope you liked this chapter!
MiDushiNoSushi: lol, thanks . . . hmm, Jake and Vera – Harm and Mac? Ah, certainly something to think about! Aren't twists the greatest? So are cliffies . . . I love cliffies! Omg, it's three in the morning, I'm high on coke, and I'm using way too many exclamation marks!
Sugar230: yeah – lol, not that the CIA would care if she was pregnant now . . . her being out and all – but I know a few people who certainly would care. If she bothered to tell them . . . ah, I'll save all those questions for the next chapter.
Kristie: oh, how many chapters? Let's see, when I started this fic I thought I would be done by chapter thirty! LOL, suppose that's the way it goes . . . I always run a lot longer than I mean to. I dunno, I've been predicting the end to this fic saying 'ten chapters more, ten chapters more' for about the last eight chapters now. I know there's an end – I really do. I know what happens in the end as well – it just might take me forever to get there! And now I'm even thinking of writing a sequel . . . lol, that would be fun, wouldn't it? Oh, okay – now I'm the one babbling. Hope you liked this chapter.
Lani: oh ya, the last thing this world needs is another Webb . . . lol, but who says he's the father? (grins evilly) – and who says she's pregnant? (another wicked grin)
TV Angel 711: Abbas dying . . . hmm, okay – don't worry, it's already on the 'To Do' list. LOL, hope you liked this chapter.
Vhosek malacath: lol, "interesting" it certainly will become . . . ya, I know I didn't do any of the 'possible Vera pregnancy' thing in this chapter – but believe you me, it'll definitely be there in the next one.
Angie Capriatti: hey, no confusion – besides, the last name sounds cool with the first. LOL, hope you liked the chapter.
Daisymh: thanks, and I hope I didn't disappoint!
FoxyWombat: ah, I know what you mean . . . my story's just so LONG! It didn't start out that way – I mean, of course it didn't start out that way – but I mean, I didn't plan on it becoming this big. It just sort of . . . happened. Plot got thicker, longer, I added in a whole new character which completely threw me off so . . . yeah!
Dansingwolf: actually, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret of mine – I will complain a lot about replying to reviews, and how much time it takes (cuz it really does take about forty minutes) and etc. But the fact is, deep down I really love doing it. The last chapter of TLWL did not feel write without those replies at the end. And besides, your reviews are always fun to reply to. I've told you how much I love long reviews. First of all – H.A.R.M. - one of my smarter name suggestions. I had it down to two name possibilities, the first which my friends promptly shot down. I was thinking about the name 'Cassidy' (also gender neutral – cuz I usually flip a coin when it comes to the gender) after Harm – Butch Cassidy. I dunno, Butch just did not seem to fit a kid. No offense to anyone who has that name out there. And I really love the abbreviation Ash. You're so lucky you have it. My name has no abbreviation so my friends came up with Nix (completely out of the blue – no link to my name whatsoever) cuz I used to use the phrase 'nix that' a lot and then the name just stuck. And then I wanted to be just 'Nix' on the but someone had already taken it. And Nix1, and Nix 2, and a bunch of others. And I can just completely imagine Mac giving birth and thinking almost deliriously, if there was actually a kid in there. I know if I was in her spot I would be. I have the tendency over dramatize things – have you notice? Ahh . . . another unbearably long review. LOL, but that's in our nature anyway.
Prinnie: lol, yeah – what we definitely do NOT need in this world is another Webb . . . I don't think the CIA will be able to handle that. Anyways, hope you liked this chapter!
Tizy: wacky, huh? How long? Mine's twelve letters, if you can top that. See, my mum was actually very considerate when she christened me. She knew I had a godforsaken twisted surname so she vowed she would give me a very simple first name – very common. And it is . . . lol, but why couldn't it have been reverse? I love unusual first names – I love Hunter. The minute you suggested that I was like, "yes!" As for Abbas . . . he's being taken care of by the dream team. Don't worry.
Freezepops: you can't access chapter thirty? Okay, um . . . if you read this, if you CAN read this, and you still haven't been able to read chapter thirty, email me and I'll send you the file, okay?
Vero chan: thanks, and that's totally a Mac thing to do – using Harm's initials. But it worked out, really. Rabb, Mackenzie – RM. It was just destiny.