A/N: The muse took me on a longer than expected journey. Yes, Mac is "gone." How will Harm react? And who has her? (There's a clue in this chapter.) I promise to reveal the culprit in the next installment.

She's Gone

JAG Headquarters
June 15, 2004
0850 Local

Lt. Cdr. Bud Roberts wasn't easily shaken these days. He'd been through too much in the past couple of years—losing his leg, his family's reaction, his resentment over the situation, learning how to control his anger. If he'd profited anything from the experience, it was to keep calm and take most things in stride.

But when Colonel Mackenzie was two hours late for their meeting, he felt ill at ease. It wasn't like her. In the eight years he'd worked with her, she'd always been punctual. Most of the time, early. Her uncanny ability to tell time down to the minute without consulting a clock had always fascinated him.

Bud called both her home and cell phone and got no answer. There was nothing else he could do now. It was time for staff meeting, and he didn't want to face the wrath of one Sturgis Turner.

He hurried to the conference room. Coates and Sturgis were already there along with a couple of new junior attorneys, Lt. JG Darla Hanson, and Lt. Daryl Tucker.

"Something delay you, Commander Roberts?" Sturgis frowned.

"No, sir. According to my watch, I'm two minutes early." A glance at the clock confirmed his statement.

"Where is Col. Mackenzie?"

"I don't know. She and I were supposed to meet early this morning to discuss the Hudson court-martial, but she never showed up. I haven't been able to reach her at her home or on her cell phone. It's not like her to be late. I'm a little concerned."

"Probably too much of Rabb's influence," Sturgis muttered. He looked around the table. "Let's get on with this. We can't delay because of an inept officer."

Bud met Jennifer Coates' eyes. He wanted to protest. Jennifer opened her mouth, no doubt to do just that, but Bud shot her a warning look. He had no doubt Sturgis Turner would charge her, or anyone else for that matter, with insubordination in a heartbeat.

The staff meeting lasted way too long. For someone so keen on being efficient, Sturgis wasted a lot of valuable time—his and everyone else's. He'd assigned them more mundane and unnecessary work. Bud was convinced the man would have them rewriting the UCMJ if he could get by with it.

After the meeting ending, Bud rushed to Col. Mackenzie's office, hoping she would be there. But the room was dark, and there were no signs she'd been there since Friday. He went into his own office, then tried both her home and cell phone. No answer. Something was definitely wrong.

Unknown Location
June 15, 2004
1100 Local

Mac looked out the window to the beach below. Under any other circumstances, it would be a beautiful place to visit. Perfect for a weekend getaway.

Her thoughts drifted to another beach. Another time. She only wanted to make Harm jealous—to make him admit how he really felt. Instead, he stood there, trying to determine if she was really topless beneath that magazine.

Later, on the ferry, when she'd come on to him, he backed away. And she went straight into the arms of another man. The first of many mistakes she'd made.

If only she hadn't turned to Mic or accepted his ring. If only she hadn't run away to the Guadalcanal, then pushed Harm away. If only she hadn't taken the mission to Paraguay and pushed him away yet again, this wouldn't have happened.

But now, instead of enjoying time with the man she loved, she was a prisoner in this place. She'd already tried the windows. They were bolted shut. At any rate, he'd told her the house had a state of the art alarm system, so any attempt at escape would be useless.

How long did her captor intend to keep her locked up? Had he lost his mind? Surely, he didn't believe he could make her love him. Mac cringed as she remembered how he'd held the gun on her, forcing her to write the note.

Dear Harm:

I know this will come as a shock to you, but I can't go on this way—pretending what I feel for you is love. I'm leaving Washington and the Marine Corps. I know it seems spontaneous, but I've given it a lot of thought. I can't go on this way. I've found someone who makes me happy. Turns out, he's always had a thing for me.

I've known for years how I felt about him. I fought against it, but now I can no longer deny he's the man of my dreams. I feel like I've been waiting outside a gate. Now the way is no longer barred for me. I can enter through and into my new life.

I'm going away with him. I know you won't understand but please don't try to find me. It's better that we end it this way.

Always,

Mac

After she finished the note, he'd forced her to remove the ring and leave it with the envelope. She hadn't taken it off since Harm put it there months ago.

Did he call last night? Wonder why she didn't answer? Would he reach out to Bud or someone at JAG? How would he react when he saw the note? Would he read her cryptic message and figure out who had her and where she was?

It had been a long time since Sarah Mackenzie had prayed, but she cried out to God to help Harm see the truth.

They had wasted so many years, and now they were together. Were the fates so cruel as to separate them forever? One thing she knew. She wouldn't trade the last few months for anything in the world.

Mac heard the key turning in the lock. He was coming in.

"Hello, Sarah."

When she didn't answer, he thrust a phone in her hand. "You need to call JAG. Tell them you're sick and won't be in for a few days. Don't try anything. I don't want to use a gun, but I will if necessary."

"And what am I supposed to say about not calling in this morning?"

"You'll think of something."

Mac took the phone. With shaky fingers, she pressed the keys for the familiar number.

"JAG headquarters, Petty Officer Coats speaking."

"Jennifer, it's Colonel Mackenzie. I need to speak to Commander Turner, please."

"Colonel Mackenzie. Are you all right? We were worried about you."

"I'm fine, Jennifer. Just let me speak to Sturgis."

"Right away, Ma'am."

Sturgis didn't pull any punches when he answered. "What is going on, Mac? You're over three hours late, and you just now call in? How am I supposed to run an office if my officers don't report in?"

"I'm sorry. I got really sick last night, and the medicine I took made me groggy. I just woke up. I'm afraid I won't be in for a few days."

Sturgis's voice softened. "That doesn't sound like you, Mac. Anything you need?"

"No. I'll be okay in a few days."

"Does Harm know?"

"He'll figure it out when he gets home. Goodbye, Sturgis."

JAG Headquarters
June 15, 2004
1700 Local

Harm stepped off the elevator, then started toward the bullpen. He'd never been so glad to complete an investigation and get back to headquarters—even if it meant having to deal with Sturgis Turner.

Harm supposed he should have called Mac. The last time they talked on Sunday, he thought he'd be on the Seahawk at least another week. But last night, a key witness came forward, exonerating the pilot of any wrongdoing. Harm was relieved to know the pilot wasn't at fault. Yes, maybe he favorited aviators, but wrapping up the investigation meant he would soon be home to Mac.

He worked through the night, finishing his report, then took the morning COD. He drove straight from Andrews, hoping to catch Mac before she left for home. But when he crossed the bullpen, he was surprised to see her office was dark.

"Welcome home, Commander." Bud's greeting was cheerful. "Didn't expect to see you today."

"Finished early. Hope to catch Mac before she left, but I see I'm a little late."

Bud frowned. "You haven't talked to her?"

"Not since Sunday. Why?"

"She called in sick. Said she be out a few days."

Harm drew his brows together. Mac never got sick. "Mac is sick? What's wrong?"

"She didn't say. It was almost 1100 when she called in. Commander Turner wasn't happy."

Harm pulled out his cell phone to dial their home number. The answering machine picked up, so he tried Mac's cell. No answer.

He took the report from his briefcase. "Give this to Sturgis, will you Bud? I need to check on Mac."

Bud took the file. "Sure, sir. If there's anything Harriet and I can do—"

Harm was halfway to the elevator when Sturgis called out. "Hold up, Harm. I need to talk to you about your investigation."

"It'll have to wait, Sturgis. I need to get home." He didn't wait for Sturgis to reply.

Harm took the stairs two at a time. He'd broken every speed limit and ran a few red lights but to get here. On the drive from headquarters, he tried calling Mac several times but got no answer.

Something was wrong. He knew it in his gut.

He unlocked the door. The apartment was dark.

"Mac, honey. I'm home."

No answer.

"Mac?"

He rushed into their bedroom. She wasn't there. The bed hadn't been slept in. At least not today. Thinking she might be in the shower, he tried the bathroom. No sign of her.

Where is she?

Maybe she was sick enough to go to the hospital. But why hadn't she called someone? He went back to the living room to check the answering machine for messages. That's when he saw the note. Her ring was lying beside it.

He tore open the envelope.

Mac was gone? No, it couldn't be. She wouldn't do something like this. Rushing to the closet, he checked to see if her clothes were there. Nothing seemed out of place. Her lingerie was still in the dresser drawers. Nothing was missing. Just Mac.

He sunk down on the bed. Someone had taken her against her will. Who and why?

I'll find you, Ninja Girl. And when I do, there will be hell to pay for whoever took you.

A/N: She's Gone by Hall and Oates