Title : Where Do We Go From Here… (at last, Part III of the Trilogy!)
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : T (I think!)
Thanks for the reviews to : jtbwriter; Radiorox; DD2; Nikki; froggy0319; anna7; Jbird7986; beegirl; JAGFANWI; Abigaile; Judy; roxy; KJFlygirl87; mayaresi; alicia; starryeyes10; skyefire; jnp; JAGJenni; laura carr; AnniGH4ever; Arian04; aserene; rosan; achaon; martini1988; Sarah; wheels04; BlueJay; chawkchic; Manda; BrittanyLS; jaggurl; DushiNoSushi; prymtns; Mey80; kchs123; Sariana of Wind; daisymh
skyefire
Thank you, and it's nice to be back. Won't keep you waiting any longer, and there's more to come!
BlueJay
Thank you, and it's nice to be back. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and more to come!
Mey80
Thank you, and it's nice to be back. I thought of the 'kickboxing' kid as I remember Mac (and CB) working out. Nice to hear it caught your attention – little things like that make my day. Stay tuned for more!
prymtns
Thanks for your review. I have always enjoyed writing for myself, but by sharing my stories and then having such positive feedback as this, it makes it all worthwhile. The relationships I've created were already there in basis, I've just taken them further in my mind! Hee, hee! Creative license is a wonderful tool! I hope you like this chapter, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter
Hiya! Good to be back! I like writing this part about Jen, knowing that she's safe with Harm, Mac and the rest! I'm having great fun writing Harm and Mac too – always do – and I've got plenty more up my sleeve! Jack and Sue will be around soon – I've missed writing their 'smoochy bits' and so I need a fix!
Re you, your new job, great to hear it's more convenient for you – nothing worse than having to hike miles to (temping) work! Been there, done that! So long as you can still log on and keep reviewing my stories, I'm happy too! Pinky luck as always.
I'm living in hope that Pax/Whatever will pick up the series again – in the meantime, keep watching out for Jack and Sue! (I'll have to try a STFBEye story in its own right one of these days! I promise, I'll finish WDWGFH first!). Thanks as always, enjoy this chapter, and please keep reading!
KJFlygirl87
Thanks for your review. I hope you like this chapter, and please keep reading!
froggy0319
Thanks for your review. I've got the DVD collection down on my wishlist too! In the meantime, glad I can keep you hooked with my stories. I hope you like this chapter, and you know the rest!
starryeyes10
Thanks for your review. I hope you like this chapter, and please keep reading!
BrittanyLS
Thanks for your 'wonderful' review too! It's nice to know that you 'see' what I do when you read the story; makes it all worthwhile! Hope you like this chapter, and please keep reading!
daisymh
Hello and welcome to the story. Thanks for your review. I hope you like this chapter and please keep reading!
Outside JAG Headquarters - Lunchtime
As they strolled along in the grounds of JAG Headquarters, Bobby was itching to put his arm around Jennifer's shoulders, but they hadn't yet got past his behavior at the party the previous evening. He had yet to apologize and explain his attitude. As they approached a bench he steered Jennifer toward it.
"Here. I need to sit down to say this," he began, and then stopped at the amused look on Jennifer's face. "What?"
"Here I was, under the impression that you could think on your feet, Agent Manning," Jennifer joked, and Bobby laughed.
"Very funny, Petty Officer," he began, and then paused again to take Jennifer's hand in his.
"Bobby?"
"Um? Oh…yeah. Jen…Jenny…oh, hell, this shouldn't be so hard!" Bobby berated himself for his indecision and Jennifer kept quiet, watching the varied expressions crossing Bobby's face. "Okay, here's the thing…last night I was a total idiot." Jennifer raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't speak, and Bobby carried on. "You were right to walk away. I know how much you care about Harm and Mac, and Mattie, and I was…am…jealous of your closeness." Bobby gave Jennifer such a look of surprise at the admission that she laughed in response, and then leaned over the bench to place a soft kiss on his lips.
"You have nothing to be jealous of, Bobby. The three of them, and practically the whole of JAG, are like my family. I've come a long way in their care, and I've been able to give something back in my time here, but I have my own life too, and they respect that. I have the right to make choices, Bobby, and I choose to be doing what I am with regard to Mattie, Harm and Mac."
"Which includes being with them twenty-four, seven?" Bobby asked, and then apologized as Jennifer got to her feet, prepared to leave.
"I don't know why you can't get past this, Bobby," she began, and he nodded, taking her hand.
"I want to; hell, I need to…I know…"
"I don't understand why it's so hard for you to accept!" Jennifer's exasperation showed t through her words, and although she sat back down again, she didn't say anything else. Bobby had released her hand when she sat down, and now they sat, together, yet so far apart. After a few more minutes of tense silence Jennifer spoke again. "This isn't the only reason you asked to see me today, is it?" she murmured, and Bobby shook his head.
"Jack had an idea to flush out Torrance."
"And it involves me?" Jennifer surmised, her voice low and a little scathing. "What were you going to do, Bobby? Apologize, make up and ask me to play house with you?"
Bobby's face reflected his anguish as he nodded in silence at first, and then he spoke.
"Jack wanted you to pose as you are, a Petty Officer, with a civilian boyfriend – me – giving you problems at home. He didn't know we…ah…that we're not quite as steady as we were."
"Steady?" Jennifer got to her feet once more. "Bobby, you are the one who can't get past Harm and Mac; maybe it's not really about them. You need to find out what's really bothering you about us being a couple. As for whatever Jack has planned, if I can help, I will. I'd need permission from the Admiral first…" Jennifer tailed off as Bobby looked at her. "You've already asked him." It wasn't a question.
"Sort of. We ran the idea past Harm and Mac first."
"Really. And they approved it?"
"Not exactly, but if you're willing to go through with it, so are they, and the Admiral."
"Then I guess it all depends on you, doesn't it?"
"I guess it does," Bobby acknowledged, getting to his feet too. "I just don't know how…" he added softly, and the strained silence fell again. Jennifer turned to leave, and looked back at Bobby briefly.
"I'm going back. Time's up. I'll let Mac know I'll do whatever is necessary, and I will work with you…or whoever…on this. I want this slime taken down, but when it's over, so are we."
"Jen…I…" Bobby began, but fell silent as she walked away from him, head up, back straight. What he didn't see were the tears streaming down her face.
JAG Headquarters
Mac's Office
Friday Afternoon
"Ma'am, do you have a minute?" Jennifer appeared at Mac's door, knocking briefly on the wood.
"Jen! Of course, come in. What is it?"
"I understand you know about the FBI plan to have me help on the Torrance case."
Mac nodded, indicating to Jennifer to take a seat and the same time noticing the faint redness around the younger woman's eyes. Something kept her from asking the obvious, so she kept the response neutral.
"Bobby said he'd give you the details."
"I've spoken to…him," Jennifer responded flatly, and then added, "He didn't give me specific details. Do you know what's expected?" Mac shook her head.
"No, I don't. I would imagine, pending your acceptance, that Jack would arrange for you to go over to their office for further briefing."
"That's fine, ma'am. If you would tell Jack I'm in, and thank you for backing my involvement."
"Jen…I'm sorry if things aren't working out…if it makes it difficult to work with Bo…Agent Manning," Mac murmured. "You can still refuse. No one will think any less of you."
"I want to stop the man, ma'am, and it means a lot to me that you all think me capable of doing this. I'll work with whoever is assigned to the case."
"All right, I'll call Jack and let him know, and I'll give you the details later."
"Thank you." Jennifer got to her feet and turned to leave the room, then looked back at Mac. "I'd like to take you up on the ride to Annapolis too. My other…plans…have changed."
"Not a problem. Later, Jen."
"Yes, ma'am."
Mac sighed as the younger woman walked away from the door. Picking up her cell phone, she pressed Harm's number on the speed dial.
"Hi, it's me. We may have a problem."
JAG Headquarters
Harm's Office
Same Time
"Leave it with me. Jen's just come into the bullpen. See you later."
"Okay."
Harm replaced his cell phone and stood up to leave his office.
"Is he in?" Harm indicated the Admiral's office with the tilt of his head and Jennifer grinned and shook hers.
"SecNav," she answered.
"Good! Then we can drop formalities." Harm smiled at her as he pulled up a chair to her desk.
"Sir, if this is about…"
"Jen, Mac just rang me to say you were still in on the case. You are, right?"
Jennifer nodded, waiting for Harm's next words.
"Would you agree to talk to Jack and me at your place tomorrow?"
"Yes…I guess, but why?"
"I have a slight change of plan, but I need to run it by Jack. It involves your past. Are you okay with that?"
"My past? Sir…" Jennifer began, but Harm gave her a reassuring smile. "I only need to refer to it, Jen, not put you back there. I was thinking that we don't have time to bring you into Torrance's space professionally, through official channels…" Harm paused as he saw Jennifer shift forward in her chair, her quick mind already processing the words he'd spoken. With a grin, he continued. "We could use his social time to our advantage. We give him cause to suspect you of fraternization."
"Frat…" began Jennifer, her voice raised, and then she saw the look in Harm's eyes. "With you?"
Harm nodded. Jennifer grinned.
It could work. Harm was the one person she trusted without condition. As she listened, Harm outlined his ideas – to cause a confrontation in a bar between the two of them, and to have her stay behind, drink some more, and have Torrance witness all this and come talk to her, to 'exploit' her situation.
When he had finished talking, Harm watched Jennifer's face as she took in the facts. It was her life on the line, regardless of how much 'back-up' the FBI could provide, she knew. But Jennifer had something else – Harm's promise to keep her safe.
"I'm in, Harm."
"To hell and back?"
"To hell and back, sir." The phrase was more often associated with pilots and RIO's, but it wasn't out of place, or said glibly. Harm knew Jennifer had the guts to follow through. Getting to his feet he grinned at her, and told her where he'd be for the next half hour or so.
"You think the Colonel will be mad, sir?"
"I doubt it. She'll probably wish it had been her idea!" Jennifer had to laugh at that, and Harm nodded.
"I'll let you know about Jack later."
"Okay. Thanks…Harm."
"You're very welcome. Can't have one of my 'girls' upset now, can I?" With that parting comment Harm left Jennifer's office, and the Ops floor, as he took the stairs two at a time to Mac's office.
Harm's Apartment
Friday Evening
"So, Sailor, what did Jack say?"
"He thinks it could work, and he'll be over by three tomorrow. Sue will be coming with him."
Mac nodded at that, smiling as Harm came over to where she was sprawled on the couch, squatting down beside her.
"Have you let Jen know yet?" Mac asked softly, putting her hand out to touch Harm's face as he leaned in to her light caress.
"Caught her…as she was leaving JAG," Harm answered, distractedly.
"So we have no other interruptions tonight?"
"None…" Harm murmured, turning his face to kiss Mac's palm before continuing, "…that I know of."
"Good. You can give me that massage you promised me earlier," Mac murmured, adding huskily "…and the rest."
Harm got to his feet and put both his hands out for Mac to take as he gently pulled her to her feet. Once she was standing, he cupped her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her gently.
"That's just for being you," he murmured, giving her a second kiss. "That's for being an understanding wife," he grinned, referring to his proposed 'relationship' with Jennifer. "And this…" Harm paused, his face becoming serious for a moment.
"And this…" Mac prompted softly.
"This," Harm was whispering now, his lips almost touching hers, "…is for being everything you are to me, and because I can!" he finished, giving her the smile where the tip of his tongue touched the front of his teeth, Come on, ladies, you know which one! giving him such a 'hopeful little boy' look that Mac couldn't resist.
With a purr deep in her throat, Mac actually began the kiss, touching her tongue tip to his in the instant before his lips claimed hers and the rest of the world was forgotten.
To be continued