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; judy52sa

A quick repost of Chapter 24 – minor addition as I did a read-through and thought a change was needed. Also, a refresher for the next chapter!

Mac's Office – Judiciary Floor – JAG Headquarters – Monday Morning

"Ma'am, you have a visitor. Lieutenant Roberts."

Mac looked up as her assistant stepped back to let Bud pass.

"Good morning, Colonel. I've been taking a look at Mattie's laptop, and I think I've found something, but I'm not sure that it's what the Captain is looking for. He's out of the office this morning, and I can't reach him on his cell."

"Good morning to you too, Bud. Harm's at the FBI with Jennifer; he should be back by lunch. Anything I can help with?"

"I've traced some of the emails to a location in Georgetown, ma'am. The university campus to be precise. I rang and checked; they have an internet café in their student hall."

"Georgetown University? I don't see…oh, wait a minute! Mattie's friend…the one she met in Bahrain…he attends Georgetown."

"But surely he wouldn't be sending Mattie emails like that, ma'am? I mean, I read…it's horrible!" Bud shuddered visibly, and Mac nodded as her face lost a little color. "Ma'am? Are you okay? You've gone pale…" Bud stepped forward as Mac got to her feet, and swayed a little.

"I'm fine…really, Bud. It's just the thought…I don't see how…" Mac knew she was sounding vague, but the very idea that Blaise Purcell might be involved in sending such vile emails to Mattie was almost unthinkable. Almost. Mac looked up at Bud with a more determined light in her eyes.

"Bud, are you busy right now?"

"No…er…not right now, ma'am. Why?"

"I need you to give me a ride, to Mattie's school. I need to speak to her face to face. If I ask her over the telephone she might freak out."

"Of course, ma'am. I'll be right back."

"I'll meet you outside."

"Are you sure? I mean…" Bud gave a self-conscious grin as Mac looked at him with her eyebrow raised. "No problem. I'll meet you outside, ma'am."

"Thank you, Bud." Mac grinned in response and watched as Bud left her office.

FBI Headquarters – Same Time

Down in the basement of the FBI building Jack was in the archives section of the file room, looking for information, when he felt hands come around him from behind. With a smile he turned, into the arms of Sue.

"What are you doing, Agent Thomas?" he asked, grinning at her playfulness.

"I came to say 'thank you', for loving me," Sue murmured softly, her eyes saying much more than her words.

"You are more than welcome." Jack leaned in with a soft kiss, and Sue met him half way. Their surroundings faded out momentarily, but returned with the sound of voices for Jack, and Levi pawing at Sue's pants leg to alert her.

"I guess we have company," Sue murmured, and Jack nodded, smiling at her. "I'll see you later."

"Without a doubt," Jack returned, watching as Sue turned on her heel and left the filing room, Levi beside her as always.

Back in the office, Sue smiled as she saw two people waiting for her.

"Hi, guys!" The informal welcome made both Harm and Jennifer smile in response, and they followed Sue as she headed for the conference room. When they got there Jack was waiting, as was Bobby Manning.

"Agent Manning is back on the case," Jack informed Harm and Jennifer, and both of them acknowledged the information with a brief nod. Harm glanced at Jennifer and she gave him a reassuring smile, which he responded to with a grin. Taking their seats side by side, they waited for Jack, Bobby and Sue to sit down also. When the five of them were ready, Jack began the briefing.

"We suggest Jennifer go back to the bar on Wednesday. Torrance turned up there last week," Jack glanced at Harm as he said this, and both men nodded in acceptance of the fact. There has been no effort to make contact so far, so we need to make the next move. Jennifer?"

"I'm okay with that. What do you want me to do?"

"Stay for a couple of hours, see if Torrance turns up. If he does, see what he has to say, if anything."

"Will do," Jennifer acknowledged, and got to her feet along with Harm as Jack gave them both a smile.

"You want to let Gibbs know what…" began Jack, but he was interrupted by the sound of a cell phone ringing. Jennifer apologized and fished in her purse for her personal cell phone. In the process of turning the device off, she stopped as she read the display.

"It's him," she murmured, and Harm saw the name on the caller display.

"Torrance," Harm acknowledged, glancing at Jack. Nodding then at Jennifer he mouthed for her to take the call.

"Jennifer Coates," Jennifer answered, and focused on Harm's face, easing her tension slightly as he smiled in encouragement.

"Hello, Petty Officer. I'm surprised. You didn't say your title."

"This is my personal cell phone, Mr Torrance. How did you find my number?"

"I have contacts, Petty Officer. I haven't seen you around for a few days, so I got worried. You planning on going out tonight?"

"No, actually. Would you believe I'm washing my hair?" Jennifer shrugged as Jack gave her a puzzled look. Harm grinned. Jennifer was playing hard to get!

"Let me rephrase that, Jennifer. You are planning on going out tonight, with me."

"Then I guess I'm going to have to wash my hair another night. What time?"

"I'll be by your place. 1900."

"Your contacts are good," Jennifer murmured, and Torrance gave a cold laugh which sent shivers down her spine. It was a cruel sound.

"I'm curious, Jennifer, as to why you would get involved with a senior officer who was also your neighbor, and mentor."

"I'm a sucker for a nice smile," Jennifer answered quickly. Torrance laughed again.

"Indeed. Well, I think we have a lot to discuss. I'll see you later."

"Yes, I guess you will." Jennifer ended the call and looked at the four faces in front of her. "I guess the timetable just moved up."

Harm confirmed that he would advise Gibbs of the latest development and then followed Jennifer out of the conference room. Jack and Sue walked with them to the elevator. Bobby was nowhere to be seen. If Jack was puzzled, he didn't show it. Sue glanced at Jennifer and found no reaction to Bobby's sudden disappearance. When the two naval officers had left the floor, Jack turned back to Sue.

"Any idea where Bobby went?" Jack asked, and Sue shook her head. "Me either, but I sure hope he's not gone walkabouts again. If Jennifer can be professional about working, I can't see why Bobby has to be the unpredictable one."

"He could compromise the case still, Jack. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea having him back on board so soon."

"Bobby's better than this. You know that, Sue," Jack gave her a pained look, hating that she could be right about letting Bobby back onto the investigation.

"I do know that, Jack. But it still might not be the right thing for Bobby. Are you going to put him on watching Jennifer?"

"No. Myles or D can take that post. I'll stick with Bobby."

The man in question was waiting down in the parking garage for Harm and Jennifer to step out of the elevator. When they did, he was quick to walk up to them. Harm paused mid-stride and Jennifer almost walked into him.

"Oof! Harm, what is it…oh…" Jennifer looked from Bobby to Harm, and back again.

"Jenny, I need to talk to you."

"Not here, Bobby. It's not the time."

"You can't meet with Torrance. It's not safe."

"Agent Manning, you don't have any say in what I do, or don't do, as the case may be." Jennifer stood her ground in front of Bobby and then spoke to Harm without losing eye contact with the FBI agent. "Can we leave now?"

"Of course." Harm answered immediately, giving Bobby a warning look. "Manning."

Bobby stepped aside and watched as Harm and Jennifer walked away to their vehicle. As Harm opened Jennifer's door he leaned in to ask if she was all right, and Bobby scowled at the sight.

Mattie's School – Morning Recess

"Mac, hi!" Mattie ran over as soon as she saw Bud help Mac out of his vehicle. "Is everything all right? Did something happen?"

"Hi, kiddo. Nothing's wrong. I just needed to ask you something, and I didn't want to do it over the telephone." Mac returned the hug Mattie gave her, and then took a seat on a nearby bench.

"Okay. Fire away…" Mattie invited, and Mac gave Bud a quick look before returning her gaze to her daughter.

"Bud found something on your laptop, Mattie. Sweetheart, are you still okay with Blaise?"

"Blaise? Yes…I mean…well, he got a bit ticked a couple of weeks ago. He said he'd arranged something with his parents but it was the weekend when I went to Annapolis. He tried to make out that I'd forgotten, went on a kind of rant, and then said it was his mistake and I hung up. He's emailed me a couple of times since, and seemed over it."

"Mattie, has Blaise done something like this before? I mean…well, has he acted as though you've forgotten to meet him, or call him? Anything like that?"

"Not before that, no. In his email he asked if I'd had a good time at Annapolis…" Mattie answered Mac with a reassuring smile, but suddenly her face fell as she remembered. Her voice fell to a whisper. "He knew! He knew I went to lunch on the Sunday. Mac, how did he know?"

"I'm not sure, Mattie, but we're going to find out." Mac put an arm around Mattie's shoulder and pulled her into a quick hug. "It'll be okay, sweetheart." Mac's own experience with stalking had been frightening, and Coster had been homicidal.

Right now all Mac wanted to do was call Harm.

To be continued