By:
Liz D
A
Future Fic based on the AU created in Old
Friends and Old
Friends, New Relationships
Chapter
Seven
Written:
Fall 2005
Disclaimers: No disrespect to JAG's cast, crew, creators or
characters. With love and thanks.
Thanks for reading and glad so many of you are enjoying.
Letting
The Days Go By
Chapter
Seven
0800 Local –
January 9, 2008
Brig
Okinawa, Japan
"What in the hell were you thinking?" Harm bellowed at Silvers.
"He just wanted --."
Harm shut Livingston down with a look. "Are you on the defense team? Do you have any reason to be here AT ALL?" He glared at him.
"Silvers is in my command."
"Then you have two choices … you can shut up and let me do my job or get out." Harm was done. "I am trying to keep this within the military, but if the Okinawan officials get a hold of you I am not sure there is anything that anyone can do."
"That bitch MacKenzie would just a soon turn Silvers over to them." Livingston challenged.
Harm's eyes flared. "COLONEL MacKenzie."
Livingston proceeded unchecked. "I know all about the local JAGs being in bed with the Jap authorities."
Harm had had enough; he got in Livingston's face. "You WILL show her the respect demanded by her rank, her uniform and as a human being. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
Livingston didn't respond.
"Do you understand me?" Harm repeated.
"Yes." He stated reluctantly.
"She may very well be all that stands between 25 years in Leavenworth or a Japanese Prison. OK?" Harm looked back and forth between both men. "Semper Fi?"
"Semper Fi." Livingston repeated.
"Now get out." Harm ordered.
"Commander." Silvers protested. "I would prefer that Colonel Livingston be allowed to stay."
Harm was in a no win situation. His client didn't trust him and his client's CO was more trouble than he was worth. Harm tossed his cover on the table. "You do know that we didn't have a leg to stand on before you pulled this little stunt and now that you have …" He shook his head.
"But you told MacKenzie that it was shoddy work." Livingston stated. "And that you were going to poke so many holes in the investigation that it would look like it was used for target practice."
"I was LYING." Then a realization washed over Harm – his own words coming back to him, words that were uttered only to Mac behind a closed door. He turned to the colonel trying to keep his anger in check. "Where did you hear that?"
He shrugged. "Around."
"Around what?" Harm pressed.
"Around." He tried to out 'macho' Harm, but it was not to be. "And I guess you were the right choice … you and MacKenzie have a history." He stated proudly.
Harm studied him for a moment. Clearly Livingston thought knew more than he actually knew. "You have a spy." He stated thinking of the cute Petty Officer that worked for Mac.
Livingston glared back. "I also heard -."
"NOTHING." Harm assured him. "You heard NOTHING." Then he tried to play it down. "You know what, Colonel … you are going to wind up in jail along side your buddy here." He stated clearly. "And I am going to be the one to put you there."
"Hey." Silvers interrupted. "I thought you were supposed to be on my side."
Harm stood and walked away from the table. "I am not sure if you two are just incredibly STUPID or if you are really trying to hide something."
"Commander … I just needed to see my girl." Silvers protested. "They have to understand that."
"Who has to? The members? The judge?" Harm was stunned. "Gunny … you are in jail for what looks to be the biggest drug bust that the Marine Corps has ever known. You have been pegged as the mastermind behind the whole thing – manufacturing and distribution – though for the life of me I don't see how you were SMART ENOUGH to pull it off. The maximum sentence for this is close to 25 years … but I am willing to think they will make an exception in your case and just throw away the key. And that is only if I can keep the administration for letting the Japanese government from taking a whack at you. This is a very serious political hot potato gentlemen." He gestured toward the door. "Taking a the night out to visit your girlfriend who is facing her own issues with the local authorities was just … incredibly … STUPID."
"But ..."
"How the hell did you get out anyway?" He put up his hand. "I don't want to know … probably have a client on the inside who just turned away."
"I came back on my own." He defended.
"Stupid … incredibly STUPID." He grabbed his cover and started for the door. "Try not to do anything … forget it. Don't leave the base!" He turned to Livingston. "The more you defend this guy, the more you help him, the more rules you break to prove his innocence, the guiltier he looks --- and you with him."
"Silvers is innocent."
"He may or may not be guilty – but he is hardly innocent." He said. "Regardless, I need to find a way to disprove their claim."
Harm left. He needed to see Mac.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
0936 Local – January 9, 2008Outside the JAG Offices
Okinawa, Japan
Mac was walking back from a meeting when Harm caught up with her. "Walk with me." He stated.
"I need to get back to my office." She gestured toward the door.
"Your walls have ears, Mac." He told her.
She looked back at him. "What does that mean?"
"I am not at liberty to say, but as concerns this case … MY CASE … your walls have ears."
"Harm." She didn't understand.
"Look, I wanted to take you to lunch … thought we could talk … but it looks like I will be working through lunch and probably dinner for the next day or so."
She looked disappointed but it was not unexpected. "I understand."
"Do you?" He asked back. "Do you know how much I want to blow this case off and take you –"
"Harm." She stopped him. "Don't … please don't." She tried not to look at him but found herself staring into his very intent eyes. "I understand … I promise … we will talk, OK?" She assured him.
He stepped a little closer to her. "Sarah." He breathed her name. "Being this close to you …"
She stepped back. "You are going to have to stop that … I am serious Harm … no more."
"You distract me." He whispered.
"Harm --." She wanted to blast him but didn't have the heart. "When this case is over."
He nodded. He didn't feel completely shot down, but wasn't as encouraged as he had hoped. "OK." He smiled. "I'll see you in court."
"I am not prosecuting." She announced.
"What?"
"No, Commander Lorenzo is prosecuting. You knew that." She pressed.
"No … no, ma'am I didn't." He looked so disappointed. "Boy oh boy … I am striking out left and right here." He thought for sure they would be up against each other in court at the very least. It was the only thing that was keeping him focused on the case.
"Lorenzo is a good man … a little green in the court room." She told him. "I will probably be sitting second chair … need to check my schedule." She had a hint of a smile on her face.
"Yeah … you do that." He was still very unhappy. "Well, got a ton of people to see."
"Blowing holes in the case?"
"Just crossing the Ts and dotting the Is … something your people don't seem to care about." He hoped that sounded sincere.
"Right." She just smiled. She knew his game.
"Right … see you later." He started to walk off. She watched him for a moment.
"Hey Commander." She called to him as she approached.
He turned back.
She brushed past him. "You're a little distracting yourself." She kept walking with a little more wiggle to her walk.
Harm's heart was lifted.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
2252 Local – January 9, 2008JAG Offices
Okinawa, Japan
Mac checked the clock on the wall again. She knew very well what time it was but she couldn't stop from verifying it. He should have been back by then. She was still working, clearing up several matters that needed her attention. She had discussed the trial with Lorenzo and decided that he was so unprepared for Harm that she needed to be there to back him up. Which meant clearing her desk for three days – at least. Well that was not entirely true, but if she cleared her desk for three days, if there were a break – and her presence was not required - she could take advantage of it.
One thing bothered her about the case as she reread the files and read through Lorenzo's brief. It was airtight. Nothing was dropped or forgotten. She knew that Harm was just posturing about the casework being shoddy, but there was something amazingly odd with the situation. Every arrow pointed to Silvers. Every lead ended at Silvers door. No case was that easy.
"Burning the midnight oil, I see." Came a booming voice from her open door.
Mac looked up and shot up into attention.
"At ease Colonel." The base commander said. "So how do you like it here?" He asked casually.
"Very well, sir."
"This is your first command, is it not?"
"It is sir."
"From what I understand you are doing a hell of a job."
"Thank you sir."
"It is not an easy job, and – no disrespect – being a woman can't help around here."
"I find the work challenging and the crew I have to work with dedicated and competent."
"This was a major career move for you." He commented looking at the picture on her desk. "Honestly, if Admiral Schnarr hadn't pushed so hard for this assignment, I never would have approved it."
"Thank you sir."
"You'll be getting your full bird for this … surprised it hasn't happened already."
"Thank you sir."
"Well, I am headed home … after twenty hours, I am just shot … need to get at least an hour of shut eye a night." He smiled at her.
"Yes, sir."
He was just about to walk out. "Colonel, about the Silvers matter."
"Yes, sir?"
"The local authorities are putting pressure to have this matter turned over to them."
"Yes sir."
"What are your thoughts on that?"
"Gunnery Sergeant Silvers is a marine, sir." She stated. "We need to show them that we can police our own."
He nodded. "So you think he is guilty."
"I believe that the evidences supports that enough to warrant a trial."
"I understand that Commander Rabb is defending."
Mac stayed silent.
"He had quite a reputation for stirring the pot … so to speak."
"Yes sir."
"But he has been out of it for a while."
Mac didn't know how to respond. She decided to defend Harm. "Commander Rabb has been back at JAG for nearly four months, and from the two meetings I have had with him, he seems to have not missed a beat."
"But you can beat him?" He asked.
"I believe that the case is winnable, yes sir."
He nodded slowly. "You know of course if Silvers is found not guilty … well the Okinawans will say that we are just protecting our own and will demand their shot at him." He held up his hand. He didn't want her to respond. "Good night, Colonel."
"Good night, sir." She said.
He stepped out and then back in. "One more thing, Colonel."
"Sir?"
"It is odd going up against your ex-husband?" He smiled. "I mean does it give you an advantage or is there a ton of other baggage that is – well – distracting."
Mac was at a loss. "Commander Rabb and I worked in the same office for many years, sir." She started. "We were opposing counsel many times as well as working on the same side. I think that has given me a little more insight to what his strategy might be."
"Very well, Colonel." He left.
Mac sunk down into her chair. The base CO had a reputation for being fair and open minded, however no one gets to that position without being politically minded. She wondered if this was a warning to her or just some good advice. Don't lose.
She checked the clock on the wall again. Where the hell was Harm? If he had made it back, he would have called. She left him something that should have brought up a nice memory – or two – and she was hoping for a response. Maybe he wasn't back yet. Maybe he didn't feel it needed a response. Mac leaned back in her chair and thought back to an easier time.
f-l-a-s-h-b-a-c-k
1246 EST – March 2005
JAG HQ
Fall Church, VA
Mac has been staring at the same six files all night. She was missing something. She knew it. She would find it if she had to stay up all night. She was alone in the JAG offices. Bud had offered to stay and so did three Petty Officers and a new JG, but Mac had sent them all home. There was no reason for all of them to lose sleep. She wasn't sure if there was really something to find or if she just couldn't let it go.
Harm had called at 2330 to see if she was coming home, but she told him that it would be an all nighter. He offered anything he could, but she told him 'thanks, no thanks' and sent him off to bed. It was not that she didn't think he could help, but he had been working pretty hard as his new job and then hours at home working on the house. She didn't think it was fair to drag him in to her haystack looking for a needle that probably didn't exist.
She must have heard the elevator door ding, but when Harm was standing in her door way with a picnic basket she was startled.
"I didn't mean to scare you." He said coming in. "Just thought you needed something to eat." He set the basket down and started pulling containers out.
"Thanks, Harm." She dismissed. "But I already ate."
"Really." He challenged. "What did you eat?"
For the life of her she couldn't remember. She checked her trashcan hoping to find evidence of Chinese or pizza, but nothing was there.
"Like I thought." He smiled. He could tell that she was too focused to do anything for herself. He had a good suspicion that she hadn't even eaten lunch. He was not about to challenge her on it, she was his wife not his child – but he still wanted to take care of her.
"So … eat." He placed a container of pasta salad in front of her and sat down in the guest chair. "Walk me through it … I can help."
"Harm." She started to protest but the food made her realized how hungry she was. She dove in and nearly inhaled what was there. He pointed out that there were other things that he had brought, bread, salad, fruit etc – not to mention dessert. It was an honest to goodness picnic. "Thank you." She said when she was able to breathe. "This is exactly what I needed."
"Good." He was pleased that he was able to get her to take a break. He poured her a glass of sparkling water. "So tell me what you are looking for … what you hope to find."
Strengthened by the food and his insistence about knowing about the case, she went through everything she had. "I am missing something."
He was serious and was intent on helping her. "I'll say … you are missing what the defense has."
"Excuse me?" She craned her neck.
"What are they using as a defense?" He repeated.
"The defense?" She asked.
"You need to cut them off at the knees … what are they using?"
Mac sat up. It was so simple. It hadn't occurred to her to look at the case from the other side. She pulled the approved witness list. "The girlfriend?"
"The girlfriend?" Harm repeated.
"I thought she was there to give him an alibi, but maybe not." She started digging until she found her interview with the girlfriend. Everything became as clear as a bell. She knew exactly what the defense had in mind, and knew how to prevent it. "How do you do that?" She asked flipping through files and writing notes.
"Can't tell you all my secrets." He grinned. "Fresh eyes, baby … that's all."
Again Mac craned her neck. "I hate it when you call me that."
Harm came around the desk and started rubbing her shoulders as she worked.
She tried to stop him; it was distracting.
"Mac … take a break … it will all still be there in 10 minutes."
She placed her hand on his. "Harm, if you start that … 10 minutes won't be enough."
"So fifteen." He smiled and reached around to undo the top few buttons of her uniform blouse.
"Harm?"
"It is one o'clock in the morning … loosen up." He encouraged.
"Harm." She moaned. Clearly he had gotten to her.
He pulled her back from the desk and made her lean back in the chair. "Relax … put yourself in my hands … fifteen minutes and you will be good to go." He whispered. He continued to massage her tired muscles and some how had gotten the rest of the buttons undone and had nearly pulled her jacket free. "You are so tight baby … I should lay you out and give you a full body massage." He whispered close to her ear.
She moaned her approval. He was working her just right.
"Home?" He asked after a moment his strong hands never letting up.
She was lost in the sensation. "Work to do." She said in a far away voice. "Court in the morning." She had no thoughts of court or the work that she still had left to do.
With her jacket off and her blouse loose he was able to really reach down and work the long muscles in her back and her neck. That netted him loud audible moans. It hadn't been his intention, but clearly that massage should have been done in the privacy of their own home – preferably the bedroom. He couldn't stop himself – she was offering herself up to him, he didn't remember her ever being that pliable. He leaned down and kissed her neck. She whimpered and arched to allow him greater access. The massage forgotten, he turned her in his arms and pulled her completely to him. The kiss was searing and made them both go weak in the knees.
"Harm?" She was able to squeak out when they pulled away for a moment.
"We'll lock the door" was his too simple response before renewing the kiss.
e-n-d--f-l-a-s-h-b-a-c-k
R-I-N-G … R-I-N-G … R-I-N-G
Mac was rudely brought back to the present.
"MacKenzie." She croaked still lost in a dream from years ago.
"Hey, where are you?"
His voice sent a shiver down her spine "The office." She cleared her throat.
"What are you still doing there?" Harm played. "Decided to take the case, huh? Worried about facing me in court? Worried that I would chew Lorenzo up and spit him out?"
It was hard to contain her smile. "Just finishing a few things up."
"Thanks for the basket." He said. "How did you know it was just what I needed?"
"A good guess." She leaned back in her chair. There was something very pleasant about having him so close and them working – if not together – at least the same case.
"A great guess." He countered. Every muscle in his body hurt and he groaned as he stretched.
"Hard day at the office?" She mocked.
"I can handle it." He owned.
"Were you able to do what you needed to do today?" She asked.
"Who's asking?" He toyed back to her with a mouth full of pasta salad.
"Just me."
"Then no … must have hit every brick wall on the island."
"I'm sorry." She said sincerely.
He believed that she meant it. "And I have a crook in my neck that I just can't seem to get rid of."
"Need a massage." She said more seductively than she had wanted to.
"Offering?" He queried hopefully.
"My walls have ears." She reminded him.
"Ah … but the lock on my door works."
A pregnant silence filled the line. She wanted to say that she would be right over; he was hoping she would, but didn't want to press. He held his breath.
There was a knock on his door. "Now that's what I call service." He suggested thinking it was Mac.
"It's not me." She smiled mildly grateful for the interruption.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Honestly, so was she.
No one was at the door. He stepped out but didn't see anyone. There was a small envelope stuck inside the doorframe. He pulled out the contents: two pictures. The first was of two marines (one being Silvers) and a woman and other of the second marine and the woman. On the back of that one was written: "the girlfriend has a brother."
"Harm?" Mac voiced called from the phone in his hand. "Harm are you there?"
"Yeah … sorry … I think someone is trying to help me." He was asking as much as commenting.
"How?"
"This didn't come from you?" He asked.
"Harm, you have been given full disclosure. Anything I have, you have."
"As pertains this case." He corrected.
"What are you talking about?" She was a little confused.
"Mac, I am going to need to ask for a continuance, if only for a day."
"Not a good idea Harm."
"Why not?"
She didn't want to tell him but she had to. "The base commander came by to see me tonight. He implied that this is more of a local matter and that it should be turned over to the Okinawan government."
Harm sat down. "So what are you going to do?"
"It is not entirely up to me, but I was able to convince him that we should have the first opportunity to prosecute our own."
"He agreed?"
"He agreed. But if this is going to turn into a circus, he will change his mind."
Harm sighed. "No circus, Mac. Just trying to get justice done here."
"As am I."
"I know." Harm shook his head. "So if I get this guy off, he will still have to deal with the Okinawan government."
"Unless you can get him off by finding the person who is actually responsible." She told him.
"That is not typically what the defense does." He reminded her. "Isn't that your job?"
She smiled. "Come on Harm … when was the last time you pulled a rabbit out of your hat."
"So no circus, but magic is ok?" He laughed. "A little slight of hand."
"You have always been great with your hands." She smiled back.
"Oh Sarah …" He groaned. "You better not just be playing with me." He warned her.
"You know me Harm." She leaned back in her chair. "I don't like games where there are only losers."
"As long as there can be two winners."
End Chapter Seven - TBC