Title: Where Do We Go From Here…? (At last, Part III of the Trilogy!)
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG and NCIS 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. (I remembered to add NCIS to the Disclaimer – missed it for a few chapters. Sorry!)
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; TV Angel 711; Michelle UK
TV Angel 711
Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you liked the 'scene'. A bit more Harm and Mac in this chapter and more to come, so I hope you like it, and please keep reading!
Michelle UK
Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story! I didn't want Jennifer doing anything too drastic, and I seem to have hit the right tone using the bottle! I hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter
Hiya. Thanks as always for reviewing and especially for the two reviews this time! Twice as much pleasure! I am glad I got Bobby's reappearance at the right point in the story, and I like DiNozzo, so I thought he'd be a good guy to add to the mix! Great news on the job-front, and pinky luck continues… Hope you like this next chapter, and I know you'll keep reading!
froggy0319
Thanks for your review, and I'm glad I got the Jennifer/Bobby scene in the right place. I hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!
pryrmtns
If we're talking Harm, no way! For Bobby, absolutely! Wish I'd thought of that instead! Thanks for your review and I hope you like this next chapter!
MiDushiNoSushi
Yes, way! Ha, ha! I needed to finish on a serious note for the chapter – I didn't quite realize it would have this effect! I had to keep Bobby out of the loop, to make his reaction believable. You'll like this chapter – some Harm and Mac, Jack and Sue, and Jennifer gets escorted home by DiNozzo!
starryeyes10
Thanks for your review! I hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!
Harm's Apartment – Friday Evening, Later
Mac was lying on the couch when Harm appeared in the doorway. As she got to her feet he walked across the room to meet her halfway.
"Hey, sailor…boy, what happened? You smell like a brewery!" Mac laughed up at him, not fazed by the stench of now-stale beer as she reached up to kiss Harm. He kissed her back but then pulled back reluctantly, resting his forehead against hers.
"Let's just say I bought Jen a drink and she had other ideas as to what to do with the contents! As much as I'd love to come lay on the couch with you, I really need to get out of these clothes and take a shower."
"I can smell that," Mac agreed, and then pulled back to look up at Harm. "Where exactly did Jen get…yo…oh!" And the words faded as Mac began to laugh again.
"It's not funny, marine. I have to take my jacket in to be dry-cleaned – again! I'm thinking of taking out shares in that place!" Harm was referring to Mattie having been ill recently, due to mild food poisoning, and that his jacket had been on the back seat when she had been sick.
"Okay. You go get your shower while I put your clothes in the wash."
"I can take the stuff…"
"Harm, I'm pregnant, that's all," Mac started, but stopped as Harm kissed her forehead.
"It's not that…I just meant it's late. I can drop the clothes in the hamper and we can take them tomorrow."
"Okay. So, would you like something while you're in the shower?"
"Yeah…you," Harm's voice dropped and Mac felt the usual weakening of her body in response. With a straight face she told him, 'I showered already.'
"Not with me," Harm added, and Mac was lost, her lips taken in a deep kiss as her body found its niche up tight against his – as tight as the bump would allow – damp jeans and all…
Sometime later…
"Was Jen okay when you left the bar?" Mac asked, resting up against Harm's shoulder, her fingers playing idly with the hairs on his chest.
"I guess so. DiNozzo's watching her…"
"DiNozzo? As in Gibbs' DiNozzo?"
"Yes. It was Gibbs' idea. Why?"
"Oh, nothing…just another alpha male in the mix…" Mac mused, and Harm grinned.
"Come on, Mac. What gives?"
"Nothing…much. Think about it, Harm! Jen's problems with Bobby, and suddenly DiNozzo's in the picture?"
"Jen's hurting, Mac. She still has feelings for Bobby, whatever they might be, and until that situation is resolved she's not going to jump the first guy that comes along!"
"You sound pretty sure, sailor…" Mac murmured, and Harm gave her a deep look. "How do you figure that?"
"Because I was the first guy that came along, and I'm still in one piece!"
"Oh, you…!" Mac laughed, punching Harm's shoulder playfully as he bent down to kiss her. Her laughter soon turned to soft moans of pleasure…
Outside Jennifer's Apartment Building – Friday Night
DiNozzo pulled his car up to the kerb outside Jennifer's apartment building and left the engine idling as he walked around to help her out. This wasn't one of the occasions when he would offer to 'escort' the woman he was with to her door, and possibly more. He sensed that Jennifer Coates would turn him down, regardless of reasons. As he leaned down he noticed her withdrawn expression.
"You going to be okay?"
"Hm?" Jennifer lifted her head and gave DiNozzo a blank gaze, and then a self-conscious grin. "Sorry. Things on my mind. Thanks for the ride home, Tony."
"My pleasure. See you tomorrow, at the briefing?" Jennifer nodded as she took his offered hand and climbed out of the car.
"Yes." Jennifer nodded, seeing the smile tilting the edge of DiNozzo's lips. "What?" she asked, her muddled thoughts put aside for one moment.
"I just remembered. Rabb asked me to remind you; he said he was putting the cost of his dry cleaning on your tab."
Jennifer smiled at the words and nodded her head, and DiNozzo watched as she walked away to open the outer door to the building. As he climbed back into his car he remembered that she hadn't answered his question as to whether she was going to 'be okay'. He doubted that she would get much sleep that night – but then, neither would he.
Harm's Apartment – Same Time
Harm had got up to get a drink of water, while Mac was still sleeping. As he picked a bottle out of the refrigerator the sound of car doors closing drew him to the window. He recognized DiNozzo's car, and the man himself getting back into his vehicle. With a small smile, Harm registered the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs to the floor he shared with Mattie and Jennifer. While he knew Jennifer could take care of herself, he still felt responsible for her welfare, as he did Mattie's, and he felt a little easier knowing the young woman was back in her own home. It would have pained him, however, to see the tears on her cheeks when she opened her door, and to hear the sobs she stifled against her hand as she crossed the lounge and went straight into her room.
As yet, Harm knew nothing of her encounter with Bobby Manning.
Jack's Apartment – Saturday, Early Morning
It was Levi that alerted Jack to the presence of someone outside his apartment door. Making sure that Sue was still sleeping, Jack reached in his drawer for his gun, and made Levi stay outside the bedroom door while he went down the passage and saw the shadow of someone at his door. Looking out of the spy hole he couldn't see anything in the corridor, so he moved the chain back and opened the door carefully. Having slid down the door Bobby almost fell inside the doorway.
"Bobby! What the hell…?" Jack put the safety back on his gun and set it down on the hall table as he moved to help Bobby to his feet and into the apartment.
"I blew it, Jack…blew it…gone…" Bobby rambled, and at first Jack thought he was drunk, but there was no smell of alcohol.
"Bobby, what happened? It's almost two! Where have you been?"
"Bar…saw Jenny…and…him…Rabb!"
"Jack…?" At the sound of Sue's sleepy voice Jack turned to face her, and patted Bobby's shoulder reassuringly as he got to his feet and went to Sue.
"Um…Levi woke me up; Bobby…he was outside. I need to talk to him, to find out what's happened. It'll be okay."
"Do you want me to make up the guest room?" Sue asked, hiding a yawn behind her hand, and giving Jack a sleepy grin. Jack shook his head, leaning into kiss Sue softly.
"It's okay. I think it's going to be a night on the couch for him."
"I'll get a pillow and blanket off the bed. Then I'll leave you two alone," Sue murmured softly, turning to go back down the passage to the guest room. Jack followed her and took the items she picked up off the spare bed. As Sue closed the door behind her Jack leaned in for a longer kiss, and then pulled back.
"I don't know how long I'm going to be…it looks pretty bad…" Jack tried to explain, but Sue put her fingers up against his mouth.
"He's your best friend. Do what you have to. I'll still be here…I might be asleep, but I'll still be here." With those words, and another sleepy smile, Sue went back into the bedroom and Levi followed a smiling Jack back into the lounge. Bobby was still where Jack had left him, hunched over on the couch.
Jack perched himself on the edge of the coffee table and looked at his friend.
"Bobby? What happened tonight?"
"I went to find Jenny…at the bar…she was with him…I told you there was something going on…I just didn't realize what!"
Jack felt a sliver of cold run down his spine.
"You went to Louie's Bar? You saw Harm and Jennifer?"
Bobby nodded in silence, but his lips thinned in disgust as his memory drew pictures for him.
"Bobby! For God's sake! Harm and Jennifer were working to get Torrance's attention! Jeez, you could have compromised the whole case!" Getting to his feet, Jack went across to the window and looked out. Bobby's voice brought him back to the situation.
"You weren't there, mate! I saw her! Jenny and Rabb, together! I knew something was going on!"
"You know nothing, Bobby! Hell, you had yourself taken off the case, without telling me! I had to find out from Garrett! I've been trying to reach you all week, to talk to you! There's nothing going on between Harm and Jennifer, except working to get Torrance brought to justice. If you've done anything to spook Torrance it won't just be me on your case. Garrett will have your badge!"
"But I saw them!" Bobby's voice was small, but insistent, and Jack scowled.
"Where the hell have you been, Bobby?"
"Darcy…I went to see Darcy…" Bobby muttered, dropping his head as he was hit with sudden clarity. Darcy had moved on with her life. They had met up, talked a little, but it was already obvious to both of them that what they had thought of as a lasting relationship in DC was merely a stepping stone, for both of them, to different relationships. For Darcy, she had found both a personal and professional niche on the West Coast. For Bobby, he suddenly realised he had probably thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to him. Jennifer. With a groan he dropped his head in his hands.
"I've blown it, haven't I? I'm a jealous fool, and I've thrown away the best thing…oh, God!"
Jack drew in his anger at the damage Bobby's actions may have caused to the case against Torrance. Instead he clapped his hand against Bobby's shoulder.
"Try and get some sleep, Bobby, and we'll work this out tomorrow…" glancing at his watch he gave a small smile. "Today, actually…"
Bobby drew himself together and made an attempt to get to his feet, but Jack's hand on his shoulder forced him back down gently.
"Stay here. I'll cover for you with Garrett tomorrow and we can figure out what damage control we need to do."
"I'm sorry, Jack."
"We'll work it out, pal. Everything." Jack gave Bobby a smile and then hid a yawn behind his hand. "Time for sleep."
"Is…um…is Sue here?" Bobby asked, unaware that Sue had appeared a little earlier. Jack grinned and nodded, pointing at Levi who had rested his muzzle on Bobby's knee. Bobby looked down and gave the retriever a reassuring pat, and threw a grin at Jack. "I guess I get my own bodyguard for the rest of the night, huh?"
"Looks like it, pal. Try and get some sleep, huh?"
"Yeah. Will do, and Jack…"
"Yes?"
"Thanks…"
Both men nodded at each other without words, then Jack returned to his bedroom, and the sleeping woman in his bed. Sue turned into his embrace without opening her eyes, but the one word she asked was answered with a soft kiss. They fell asleep almost straight away. Even Bobby managed to close his eyes, and having finally admitted to himself that he was wrong about Jennifer, his last conscious thought was of how he was going to make up for his lack of trust in their relationship.
To be continued