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; pm; dawnfaer; Mommie; freitazal
froggy0319
Thanks for your lovely review, and it's good to be back. I've missed the reviews, but then you can't review what's not there, can you? Lol! Hope you like this next chapter, and the rest you know!
TV Angel 711I promised you Mac and Harm and here they are! I'm not sure where the 'love triangle' is going, but it's fun for now to let Bobby stew, and DiNozzo make a friend. Thanks for your lovely review, and please keep reading!
jtbwriter
Hiya! Good to be back, and my sudden interest in Jennifer and DiNozzo seems to be going down well – I think I'll keep Bobby waiting a little longer! I love how Gibbs is with Abby, and I think he cares about Jennifer the same way, just as Harm does. Thanks for the Christmas wishes, and the best to you and yours too!
Michelle UK
Thanks for your lovely review, and I'm pleased you like the Jennifer/DiNozzo line – it's come out of the blue, but is fun to write! I hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!
freitazal
Hello and welcome to the story! I'm still deciding on where the story should go with DiNozzo, but I'm going to have fun writing regardless! Thanks for your lovely review, and please keep reading!
prymtns
Yep! I'm back! Thanks for your lovely review, and you've given me an idea (or three! Lol!) so watch this space! I hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!
starryeyes10
Thanks for your review! I hope you like this next chapter, and please keep reading!
BrittanyLS
Thanks for your lovely review and support! It means so much! I hope you like this chapter, and more to follow!
Harm's Apartment – Sunday, Early Morning
"You awake?" Mac's whisper tickled Harm's ear and he smiled, but didn't open his eyes.
"Not if I don't have to be…" he murmured softly in response, and Mac grinned as she spoke again.
"I know it's early, but the twins are already up. I can't get comfortable just now…elbows and knees all over the place."
Harm opened his eyes and looked down at the tautness of Mac's abdomen. Sure enough, he could determine bumps moving around under her skin as she stroked gently, trying to lessen the early morning movements. Adding his hand to her ministrations, he rubbed a little harder than Mac, and to her delight the movements did lessen, as though the lives she carried knew they were being a little too boisterous. While his right hand was at work on her abdomen, Harm's left hand was stroking Mac's hair as he lay on his left side, and she lay on her back, trying to get comfortable. With the continued stroking Mac was beginning to feel the twins relaxing again and she let out a little sigh.
"Better?" whispered Harm, leaning in to touch his lips to her ear. Mac nodded in response, and he smiled against her skin. When she felt Harm's body moving against her hip she giggled huskily.
"Someone else is awake now, too…"
"Mmmhmm," Harm acknowledged, not stopping the rubbing of his hand, or the nuzzling of his lips. Mac rolled over slightly to her left and Harm spooned around her; the hand that had been stroking her hair was now underneath her and reaching around to cup her breast, stroking the hardened nub instead. The hand that had been rubbing her abdomen had moved lower too, and Mac arched against Harm as he found his intended target. With his lips whispering words meant only for her, Mac felt Harm move inside her, and it was only a short time before he felt her shudder against him as he joined in her release. When they were settled again, Mac snuggled up against Harm and was on the verge of sleep when she giggled softly.
"What's so funny?" asked Harm, opening one eye to look at her.
"Making sleepy love on a Sunday morning seems to work wonders at settling the twins, but I don't think it's going to work when they're born."
"S'pose not… better make the most of it then. According to the experts in the baby books, we're looking at an eighteen year hiatus at least from bedroom activities!" Harm managed to look affronted, even though he was joking, and Mac laughed softly, patting Harm on his chest.
"Don't you worry, Sailor. I'm a Marine, and I'm going to be a very resourceful mother. We'll find a way…" Mac reassured him, and Harm laughed too.
"You promise?" he asked, and Mac crooked her pinky finger at him, waiting for Harm to do the same. It was a childish gesture, but was a tradition nonetheless, and neither would defy tradition. With the promise given, the pair of them went to sleep once more, hoping to wake a little later than they did on a working day.
Mattie and Jennifer's Apartment – Sunday, 0800 Local
"Hey, you're up early," Jennifer murmured as she walked out of her bedroom to find Mattie seated on the couch, her laptop already opened and in use.
"I have a report due tomorrow. I've finished it, but I just thought I ought to check it out once more."
"How many times have you checked already?"
"Twice," admitted Mattie, sighing heavily, and Jennifer gave her a wry grin.
"I'd say you've nailed it, Mattie. Leave it be. Want some breakfast?"
"Yeah, sounds like a good idea." Mattie set the laptop down on the nearby table and got to her feet, heading for the small kitchen. As she moved away from the computer her email server sounded an alert for a message. When Mattie ignored the signal Jennifer gave her a questioning look.
"Don't you want to check that?"
"Nah. I'll get it in a minute."
"Mats, is everything okay? You don't usually ignore emails. In fact, I've even seen you jump over the back of the couch to get to the laptop," Jennifer laughed as she recalled one particular occasion, and Mattie nodded in agreement.
"It's nothing, Jen. I've just…well, I've been getting some weird emails lately, and I just delete them. But they're showing up in my inbox almost daily now."
"Is it okay if I take a look?" Jennifer queried gently, not wanting to invade Mattie's privacy, but concerned at the manner in which Mattie was dealing with the intrusions.
"Sure, but after breakfast, okay? I'm hungry."
"Okay. Waffles and juice?"
"Great!" Mattie's smile this time was happier, as though admitting to someone else what had been bothering her had freed up some of her worries. Jennifer prepared the breakfast while Mattie found plates, glasses and placemats for the table.
Once they had eaten Mattie cleared and washed the plates and glasses, and the waffle pan, while Jennifer picked up the laptop and brought it to the table. Mattie entered the access password to her account and then opened the most recent email. When she read it over Jennifer's shoulder both of them uttered a gasp of shock at the words written on the screen.
"Mattie, this is awful! Why didn't you say something before?"
"This is the first one like this! Honest, Jen, the others were just spam stuff. This…this is sick!"
"Harm needs to see this, Mattie. As soon as possible," Jennifer advised, and Mattie nodded, her face miserable once more.
"Harm's not going to be mad at you, Mattie. He just needs to see it, and see if he can do something about it."
"I've tried blocking the sender, but the address keeps changing. I know it's the same sender, though. The wording has been the same on the other stuff, but like I said, it's all just been spam stuff."
"I'll get dressed and call Harm over." As Jennifer moved off to her room, Mattie glanced at her watch and shook her head.
"Give him a little longer, please? It's the weekend, and he and Mac have had a tough week. So have you, for that matter. I heard you leave early with Harm yesterday. Where did you go?"
"NCIS Headquarters," Jennifer murmured, saying no more, and Mattie was smart enough not to pry further. With the company she kept, the names of various agencies were common knowledge to her, but she was careful enough to keep such details to herself. Those around her trusted her enough to talk some business in her company, but there was still a 'need to know' rule that applied, and Mattie still knew very little about her parents, or even her roommate for that matter!
"I'll get dressed when you're done and take my laptop over to Harm's then. Will you come with me?"
"Sure," Jennifer nodded, and headed to the bathroom to get washed and dressed.
Mattie studied the words on the screen once more, and then highlighted and saved the selected part.
Harm's Apartment – Sunday Morning, 0930 Local
"Mattie! How long have these emails been coming to you?" Harm and Mac's reaction to the contents of the email Mattie showed them was predictable, and Mattie shrugged.
"Just a couple of weeks. They've never been like this, though. Just spam stuff before. This is the first time…" Mattie paused, and Harm gave her a quick hug at the look of distaste on her features at the thought of describing the contents.
"It's okay, kiddo. We'll get to the bottom of this. Can I have your laptop for the time being? I want to ask Bud how we can trace the link."
"I need the laptop for tomorrow; my essay," Mattie began, but Harm came up with an offer she didn't refuse.
"You can take my laptop. Transfer over the stuff you need for your essay, and then I can give your laptop to Bud for as long as necessary."
"Okay…" Mattie acknowledged, and Harm closed down the machine, sliding it back into the carrying case Mattie had brought over.
"So, ladies, how about a ride in the country, and lunch out?"
"Your treat?" Mac asked, receiving a tap on the nose for her cheekiness.
"Yes, my treat," Harm confirmed, and all three females rubbed their hands in glee, pretending to consider the most expensive restaurants in town. At Harm's look of sudden fear that they might be serious, they relented, and let him off the hook.
"Good, you're on," Mac, Jennifer and Mattie chorused together.
"There's a new place on the road to Blacksburg. I'm guessing that's the 'country' you're talking about?" Mac asked, standing beside Mattie at the kitchen island. Harm nodded and smiled at the three women looking at him.
"Yep. I need to check on the 'Sarah' and as we're going to be getting busy with this latest case now we've got the ball rolling, I thought this weekend would be a good time to take a breather." Harm knew it wasn't necessary to mention how the case was already affecting his family, including Jennifer, and his suggestion was met with enthusiasm.
On The Road To Blacksburg
'One man went to mow; went to mow a meadow…'
Mattie's rendition of a favorite car song rang through the vehicle, and the other three occupants smiled at her as she sang. Harm glanced at her through the rearview mirror, and gave her a pained look as she went into the next verse – one of many she had already sung… Mattie caught the look and laughed out loud.
"Aw, c'mon! You've got to learn this, Dad! You'll be teaching it to the twins!"
"Over my dead body," muttered Harm, giving Mac a sidelong glance. If he had been hoping for back-up, he was disappointed. Mac burst out laughing at his forlorn expression, then she relented and leaned over the center console to give him a quick kiss on his cheek.
"You have a wonderful voice, Harm, and I know you're going to be great at nursery rhymes and lullabies. And besides, you've got plenty of time to learn. There's still over a month to go!"
With a loud sigh Harm gave in, and Mattie offered to loan him the book she had bought on nursery rhymes. Harm, however, shook his head. All three women looked at him as he gave them a familiar grin.
"I have my own book, thanks," he murmured, and produced said object to the delight of Mac, who made a grab to look at it. "Nah, ah! No fair, Mrs Rabb…" Harm lifted the book in one hand, out of Mac's reach. Her quick cry of 'Harm, look out!' caused him to drop the arm holding the book as he looked out at the – empty – road, and Mac made another, successful, grab for the book. As she looked at the cover the significance of what Harm had done by buying the book played havoc with her hormones, and she teared up.
"Mac? Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
Mac couldn't speak, and shook her head at him as she gave him a watery grin. Mattie spoke up for her, and Mac gave her a grateful smile.
"I think it's the fact you took the time to buy the book, Dad…" Mattie murmured, and Harm reached to squeeze Mac's hand that held the book. As Mac looked at Harm he gave her a quick glance that said much more than words could. Mac took one of the tissues Jennifer handed her, and the moment passed, replaced by laughter as Mattie began another nursery rhyme, making the requisite animal sounds for Old MacDonald's Farm.
To be continued