A JAG '24'
Chapter 3
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the JAG or NCIS characters. The series '24' is owned by Twentieth Century Fox. Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.
Spoilers: The Season 9 episodes, 'Persian Gulf' and 'Take it Like a Man' are the focus of this story, though other episodes from seasons 2 through 9 may be 'loosely' referred to. Some specific references to 'A Girls Best Friend' and 'The Black Jet' will also be made. The sequence of events will not occur in the same order and may not have exactly the same results as the above mentioned episodes.
Definitions: MTAC - Multiple Attack Alert Center. Article 104 - Aiding the enemy, per the Manual for Courts Martial, United States
A/N: NCIS characters will be referred to and will 'walk through' this story. They will not, however, be the focus of this story.
A/N: Many thanks to Karen for her excellent beta reading and input during a very busy time for her, thanks for the extra effort kiddo!
Rating K+
The following takes place between the hours of
6 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Mac drove through the main gate of the hospital complex and into the early morning traffic. She had just enough time to go home, shower, and get back to JAG. She felt unusually lucid considering her lack of sleep. Her senses seemed sharper than they had ever been. She felt certain that she and Sadiq were on a collision course. For reasons she could not explain, she knew that she would be the one to stop him, she had to be.
She was the only one who had walked away from Paraguay with her life intact, she owed Harm and Clay the peace of mind of knowing, that this poor excuse for a human being was dead. This would reassure them all that Webb's torture, and Harm's loss, had not been in vain. Then maybe all that had happened since Paraguay would finally make sense, they would all be themselves again.
She thought of Harm, and suddenly, her face became warm. They had connected last night on a level that they hadn't in years. She tried to remember the last time they had been able to communicate without a word. Last night, there were moments when it felt as though they were one person.
She glanced at her hands on the steering wheel of her car as she drove. Her mind drifted back to last night. She had touched him, held his hand, stroked his back. It had been so long since they had that level of comfort with each other. Since he couldn't hear her, there were times when she had to touch him to get his attention. She had missed that easy familiarity. Five years ago, it was nothing for her to touch his back or his arm when she spoke to him. Last night it seemed as though, the more she touched him, the more she wanted to touch him. His response had been so natural, he didn't stiffen or step away, he had welcomed it, she could feel it. It was so easy, the great divide between them fell away in a matter of hours with very little being said. She had always thought there would be so much to say before they could ever regain what they had lost.
'What am I doing?' she thought. She was reading too much into this. She and Harm were friends, better friends than they had been in a long time, but nothing more. She was with Webb now, whatever that meant. She was with him in the sense that whenever he was in town, they saw each other.
In the beginning of their relationship, Clay had seemed so open to her, he appeared to be letting her in more than any other man she had ever encountered. His torture and apparent willingness to die trying to protect her had formed a bond between them that was nearly as strong as the one she had with Harm.
She felt she and Harm would never be able to have the relationship she had hoped they would, and what she thought she had with Clay was as close to 'something' as she would ever have. But as Clay recovered, and especially after he returned to full duty with the Company, she learned that she really understood so little of who Clayton Webb really was. The knowledge that he had been in the country, and had likely watched her walk into the hospital last night, still pained her. She didn't know how to express it. It was as though he expected her to understand without question, that no matter the risk, she was on her own.
Webb had been right there; he had been in the building earlier last night and hadn't contacted her at all. How long had he been in town? How much did he know about Sadiq? Why didn't he tell them? Harm could have lost everything, again. The battery acid could have burned his face, his eyes or worse yet, the explosion might have killed him. She pushed away the thought and pulled onto the Beltway.
She would contact Deputy Director Kershaw today; she would make him tell her where Webb was. She would convince him to let her in on this case. With her knowledge of Van Duyn and Sadiq, she believed she was valuable in this mission.
It didn't matter; whatever happened from now on, she was going to stop Sadiq.
At that same moment….
Special Agent Gibbs drove in silence toward the Navy yard in Washington DC. Their investigation had nearly been blown last night. NCIS also knew that Sadiq Fahd was in the country. MTAC had been aware for some time.
The order had come down to keep all the players under surveillance until Sadiq made a buy. Lieutenant Marvalis was in custody and was no threat; the others would be taken down as they surfaced.
JAG had yet to scratch the surface of what Lieutenant Marvalis had knowledge of. His theft of the diamonds he had created was only the beginning. Gibbs had briefed the Admiral this morning, as much as he could, given his security clearance. The Admiral warned the Special Agent that Mac was pursuing this case and that she had voiced suspicions about Van Duyn and Marvalis' connection.
Gibbs pulled into his parking place at NCIS headquarters. This would have to be allowed to play out. They had to cast a large net; they were tasked to make sure there wasn't another rogue agent in the CIA and that no one except Lieutenant Marvalis was involved in the sale of the diamonds. The question also remained, if all Sadiq Fahd needed was a permissive action link, what else did he have and where was it located?
Gibbs cell phone chirped, pulling him from his reverie. "Gibbs"
"Yeah, boss, we found Manuel Garcia's coveralls in the 5th floor housekeeping closet. We're processing the scene now. It looks pretty definite. It was Sadiq Fahd." Tim McGee had arrived on scene along with Agents Dinozzo and Todd.
Housekeeping staff that came on shift at 0630 had found Sadiq/Manuel's coveralls and hairpiece hidden in the 5th floor janitor's closet. He had gotten very close to confronting Rabb and Mackenzie, within minutes was Gibbs guess.
"McGee, follow up with MARVA Waste Disposal, get in touch with Vice Admiral Brown and tell him that this contractor is off limits to all Navy and Marine facilities. They are prohibited from entrance to the hospital grounds. Got it? If he has a problem, have him call me." Gibbs ended the call.
Tim McGee closed his cell phone with a worried frown. 'Great,' he thought. 'I get to piss off a Vice Admiral before breakfast.'
The following takes place between the hours of
7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Harm rode up the elevator with Agent Caitlyn Todd. She had accompanied him back to his apartment from Bethesda. It made Harm slightly uncomfortable to need a security detail, but he was cooperative. He was just glad to be in his own apartment and out of the hospital. Harm was still unsteady on his feet, but he was able to get from the car into the building without holding onto Agent Todd.
Mattie had been told to expect him, so when the elevator opened, Mattie stood in the hall waiting for him.
"Harm!" She flew into his arms, nearly knocking him off his feet.
She had startled Agent Todd, but when Harm laughed and enclosed the teen in an embrace, she remembered that the Commander had a ward, Mattie Grace.
"Hey kiddo." He released her. "Agent Todd, this is my ward, Mattie Grace." Harm was glowing with pride and grinning from ear to ear.
She offered Mattie her hand and Mattie shook it.
Harm was still speaking too loudly, though he was able to hear more than he had even an hour ago. One voice at a time, more than one was still difficult to discern. "The Admiral thinks I need a security detail."
"Good!" Mattie was determined to stay with Harm today, even if she had to camp outside his door all day. "I'm staying with you Harm; I don't care what you say." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him a determined glare.
Harm shook his head and started toward his front door to unlock it, when he lost his balance slightly. Mattie went immediately to him and braced him by holding onto his arm. "See, you need me." The glare she wore moments earlier had changed to genuine concern. She was really afraid for him, he could see that now.
Harm looked down at her and handed her the keys. "Okay, Miss Grace, but just today. I also want you to get what ever class work you'll miss. By tomorrow everything should be back to normal, understood?"
Mattie gave him a satisfied grin, "understood," she answered. She had won this argument and more than that, he needed her. Harm actually needed her to do something for him instead of the other way around. She had the chance to repay the kindness he had shown her.
"I also expect to see that class work when it's completed, Matilda" He gave her as stern of a look as he could muster, when the mere sight of her here waiting for him had made him so happy. He had missed her too.
Agent Todd followed Harm and Mattie into the apartment. "I'm going to take a look around, and then I'll be going." She spoke loudly so that Harm could hear.
Mattie helped Harm get settled and when Agent Todd had finished, she came into the living room. "We will be observing your apartment from 2 different points, Commander. Agent DiNozzo is assisting me on this assignment." She handed him a cell phone. "You only have to push the number 7 on this keypad and it will alert Agent DiNozzo and myself, should you need us." Harm slipped the cell phone into his pocket and thanked her.
Mattie followed the Agent to the door and Harm stayed put on the couch, though it still felt unnatural for Mattie to be 'woman of the house.' He was the caretaker here, allowing anyone to fuss over him was going to be difficult, he knew. He had decided that for Mattie's sake he would relent, after all, it wouldn't be long; he expected to be back on his feet by tomorrow.
At that same moment at JAG Headquarters…
Mac waked into JAG headquarters 15 minutes earlier than the Admiral expected her. She had been trying to reach Clay for over an hour. He wasn't answering his cell and she only got the answering machine at his apartment. She had tried adjusting her attitude where he was concerned; she knew he could not divulge what he knew about any ongoing operations. Her sense of betrayal had been hard to get under control. She needed to talk to him, to understand why he had left both she and Harm out of the loop when there was so much at stake. There had to be a reason, one that she could understand and hold on to.
Mac walked into the bullpen as the Admiral entered it from the opposite direction. He had gotten his second cup of coffee and was carrying it back to his office.
"Colonel, great, you're here early. Meet me in my office"
"Yes sir." Mac went to her office to drop off her cover and briefcase, then joined him in his office. She was seated in front of his desk when the Admiral began.
"I had a long conversation with Special Agent Gibbs just before you arrived. Your case involving Lieutenant Marvalis is part of a much larger investigation."
"Sir?"
The Admiral handed Mac a file, with the now familiar red and black markings on the front, indicating only personnel with upper level security clearances could view it.
"You may review this, Colonel. The subject of this file is Agent Van Duyn. It is a dossier of information gathered by NCIS. It is not complete, given the level of security; I'm not even cleared to see all of it."
"Yes sir." Mac laid the file on her lap. She would compare this file with one that Van Duyn had given her in January.
"Sadiq Fahd was in the hospital last night. He was posing as a temp for a waste disposal company contracted with the Navy. They found his coverall's and whatever else he used to disguise himself in a housekeeping closet….on the 5th floor." The Admiral waited for her reaction.
The reason for her unease was apparent to her now; Sadiq was in the hospital last night. Now she understood why she felt so strongly that she couldn't leave Harm. Sadiq had come after him; he might possibly have come for her as well.
When Mac didn't answer he continued. "You will not need to be present at staff call, though I will expect Commander Roberts to step up on the Marvalis case, since he was your second chair. An article104 charge may be added to the charges of larceny and conduct unbecoming. If what NCIS believes is true, this may become a capital case. Given your knowledge of the possible link between Marvalis and VanDuyn, you may be required to testify. Sturgis already has all of Commander Rabb's case files for the defense."
"Yes, sir."
"Oh, and it might interest you to know that NCIS is following up with a security detail at the Commanders apartment."
Mac was relieved, "That's good to hear, sir."
"After you have reviewed the information, I'll expect an assessment, ASAP. Do not proceed with anything, Colonel, no matter how insignificant you think it is, without my expressed knowledge. That last encounter with Sadiq Fahd nearly got both of you killed."
"I will, sir"
"That will be all, Colonel. You're dismissed"
Mac stood, came to attention, and started to leave the room.
"Oh, and Colonel, is there something I need to know?"
Mac turned toward him and asked, "Sir?"
"Colonel Rabb?" He had heard Harm's doctor call her by that name, he looked at her with his eyebrows slightly raised.
"No…sir, I just didn't have time to correct the Captain. I'm still seeing…."
"Webb?" He completed her sentence.
"Yes sir"
He'd never understand that one, but you never really knew what was going on with them. Maybe Rabb and Mackenzie should stay away from each other. When they weren't protecting each other, they were driving each other and everyone else around them, crazy. Frankly, he's seen enough of the down side of that relationship.
"That'll be all then." He looked at Mac, his expression unreadable.
"Yes sir" Mac quickly left the room.
The following takes place between the hours of
8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Sadiq finished his breakfast at the table of his host, Fardad. The look of admiration on his face was not lost on Sadiq. He had charmed the other man, like the snake Sadiq believed him to be. Convincing this young man that he was a friend of his family, visiting from Iran, had been ridiculously simple. He was, in fact quite the opposite; this young man had become what Sadiq hated most in America. He was materialistic and degenerate. His family was contaminated by the Americans and their money before they left Tehran. They had passed their corruption and disrespect of the holy words to their children. Fardad had said "Allah be praised" when he spoke of his family's 'escape' over 25 years ago. What could he know of Allah? His life held no outer manifestation of it.
He believed Fardad was a parasite, who lived on money that his family had stolen from Iran, before the Shah fell from power. These were the same people who had sent secret police to murder his father for speaking against the Shah, and who had left Sadiq orphaned and wandering the streets of Tehran. Now he had the power to bring them to their knees, or he soon would have. He would be the hand of Allah; he would exact His revenge on all of the unfaithful.
"I have some business to attend to this morning, why don't you meet me this afternoon?"
"I would love to." Fardad was fascinated with this man, with his knowledge of the world and of their common heritage. He was handsome, mysterious and apparently very wealthy. His manner and sophistication only made Fardad want to know more. He could never quite tell if this man's interest in him was that of his connection to his family or something more, the interest of a lover, which Fardad had done everything he could to encourage.
"There is a small coffee shop near the night club Shiraz, do you know it?" Sadiq looked directly into his eyes.
"Yes, of course." Fardad was intrigued and sensed something was going to happen between them, tonight.
"Then I will see you at 5 p.m."
Sadiq smiled at the young man, thinking all the while of how he would kill him. Being a guest here in this section of Washington DC had served him well, but as with many other people he had encountered on this mission, Fardad was no longer useful. Now he must be eliminated and it would have to be very soon.
Fardad would be another martyr for the cause.
He rose and gave his admiring observer a last look, smiling at the irony of it.
At that same moment…
Clayton Webb entered his apartment and saw the flashing light on his answering machine. It had to be another message from Sarah. He could not speak with her yet, not until this mission was complete. It had taken months to set this up; he wouldn't allow anything to compromise it now. He would keep a low profile until this mission was over.
He walked to the back bedroom of his neat and sparsely decorated apartment and made his way to the shower. As he stood in the shower going over the events of last evening, he remembered a conversation he had with the then Lieutenant Roberts, when he refused to compromise a mission in the name of friendship. When he had disagreed with Webb's manipulation of the Admiral and the SecNav to accomplish what he wanted, while Harm and Mac were risking their lives in Iran, Roberts had asked him how he slept at night.
As Webb walked back into his bedroom he smiled as he thought of his answer that day.
He had said, "On my right side."
He dropped into bed and fell asleep immediately…on his right side.
At that same moment at JAG Headquarters…
Mac sat at her desk reviewing the file the Admiral had given her. As she read, so many pieces of this 'puzzle' started to fall in place. Along with the information she and Bud had gathered at the bank yesterday, it appeared that Van Duyn and Lieutenant Marvalis were both involved in this 'synthetic diamond' business. Van Duyn's name on the signature card of his safety deposit box was proof of the link she had suspected. His signature was dated February 4th, two weeks after his 'disappearance'
She and Bud were going to interview Lieutenant Marvalis shortly; his plea agreement was out the window now. The Lieutenant had been keeping secrets, it seemed, and she knew now they had to involve Van Duyn. She also intended to try and contact Webb this morning. He owed her some kind of explanation about last night. She would see Deputy Director Kershaw later today; at least she knew where he was.
She notified the Admiral of her intention to speak with Kershaw and Marvalis, and as she left the building she punched #1 on her speed dial. She waited a moment as the phone rang and then it occurred to her that Harm wouldn't hear the phone ring. Embarrassed, she started to close it when she heard Mattie answer.
"Mattie?"
"Hi, Mac."
"No school today?"
"I'm just hanging out, making sure Harm is okay. He didn't like it much at first, but I think he's getting used to the idea."
"Good idea, Harm needs someone there who cares about him as much as …how's he doing?" That had been a quick save, what had she been thinking?
"Okay, but he almost fell a couple of times. He says it's some kind of inner ear thing."
"Yeah, he was having the same problem last night and early this morning." This was great, she was just putting her foot in her mouth…every time she opened it. Maybe it was time to stop talking.
"Really?" Mattie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She looked at Harm, who looked at her curiously.
"Yeah, look Mattie, I'm going to go. Tell Harm I may stop by later today. Okay?" Mac closed her phone quickly, successfully avoiding having to elaborate on her last statement.
"Okay." Mattie answered with a huge smile on her face. She knew something was going on between those two.
"Who was that?" Harm asked.
"Mac."
Harm did not smile, but Mattie could have sworn she saw a gleam in his eye.
"Oh."
"She said she might be over later." Mattie spoke loudly so that Harm would hear her.
She watched the expression on his face closely.
Harm returned his attention to the book he had in his lap.
"So…Mac was at the hospital…all night?" She grinned at him mischievously, waiting for him to acknowledge her question. He did not. She started to repeat her question, but then thought better of it. Harm always went silent when she asked about Mac, besides, maybe he hadn't heard her. Harm looked to be concentrating on the page of the book he was reading.
He had heard Mattie's question… every word.
TBC