A/N: Eighteen chapters. We are officially "Beyond Seventeen," but there's still more to go. I borrowed a couple of things from the Season Ten opener and twisted it to fit this story. Oh, and I allowed Sturgis to have little conscience in this chapter.

Love Will Find a Way

Harm and Mac's Apartment
June 16, 2004
0600 Local

Harm had a restless night. Every waking thought was filled with Mac. First, he walked the floor, trying to figure out her note, convinced it wasn't a goodbye but a hidden message. Her kidnapper forced her to write it. He was sure of it. Mac had been wise enough to leave clues.

But what were they? What did she mean about standing outside a gate and just now being able to enter?

He considered calling the police, but they would laugh at him. Say he was acting the part of the jilted lover. He needed to think this thing through. Have a plan. Not go off half-cocked like he did with the Paraguay situation.

Harm finally went to bed around midnight, but he tossed and turned. Clutched her pillow and inhaled the wonderful scent that was Sarah Mackenzie. The scant amount of time he did sleep, he dreamed Mac was calling out to him for help.

He was awake before 0500. Ironically Mac would have teased him about it had she been here. Harm had to find her.

I always know where you are.

Yeah right. Mac found him in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Would he be as lucky?

Turns out he's always had a thing for me.

She'd said something similar before. But where and when?

Paraguay. She was talking about Clayton Webb.

Harm rushed to shower and shave, then dressed in his summer whites. He didn't want to go into the office, but he had to. Might have to grovel a bit to Sturgis, but he'd do whatever it took to find Mac.

JAG Headquarters
June 16, 2004
0730 Local

Sturgis was already in the office by the time Harm arrived. So much for getting here early. He put his cover and briefcase on his desk, took Mac's note, then went in search of the former submariner. Sturgis's door was open, but Harm knocked anyway.

"Got a minute?"

"Glad you're here early. I need to discuss the Seahawk investigation with you."

"Didn't Bud give you my report?"

"He did. I still have a few questions."

"Sturgis, I don't have—" Harm stopped himself from telling his temporary CO what he could do with the report. "Okay, I'll answer your questions, but first I need to discuss something important with you."

"What's that?"

"Mac is missing."

"What are you talking about? She called in yesterday to say she was sick."

"Yeah. Bud told me. You didn't think there was anything odd about her waiting until mid-day to call?"

"It was unusual for Mac, but she claimed the medicine she took made her sleep."

"She's not home. She left this." He tossed the piece of paper across the desk.

Sturgis frowned as he read the note. "This doesn't seem like Mac. She wouldn't just up and leave. Are the two of you having problems?"

His words irritated Harm. "No, we're not having problems."

"Have you notified the police?"

"Wouldn't do any good right now. They'd think she left of her own free will."

"You have a point. Any ideas about who may have taken her?"

Harm nodded. "I know exactly who did. Clayton Webb."

"Clayton Webb? Can't be. He died in a car crash, remember?

"Sturgis, it wouldn't be the first time Webb faked his death. Mac's note. The line about him always having a thing for her. She said the same thing in Paraguay. She was trying to tell me who took her."

"You're sure about this?"

"Positive."

"So, what do you have in mind?"

"I need a few days to look for her."

"Harm, you just got reinstated. Don't you think this might look bad for your career?"

"I have leave time on the books. Beside,s I don't give a damn about my career or for that matter my life if Mac isn't a part of it."

"You're serious, aren't you?

Harm nodded.

Sturgis was silent for a moment. "Okay, Harm. Take the rest of the week. We can manage here."

"Thanks, Sturgis."

"Mind if I keep a copy of the note? I won't show it to everyone, but Bud or Coates might pick up on something."

"Good idea. Thanks." Harm stood to leave.

"Just make sure you have a plan."

"I already do."

Porter Webb's Residence
June 16, 2004
1000 Local

Harm stood in the foyer of the Webb mansion. He'd been here once before. Ironically, another time when Clay faked his death.

"Mrs. Webb will be with you shortly," the maid said.

A few minutes later, Harm heard the click of heels on the hardwood floor.

"Commander Rabb. This is a surprise. What brings you here today?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. Webb. I need to talk to you about Clay."

"Ah, yes. I understand you were in the hospital when Clayton was killed. I trust you made a full recovery."

"I did, thank you."

She motioned to the living room. "Let's sit down."

Harm waited until she was seated before taking a seat on the sofa. He needed to approach the situation delicately, but he also needed to know the truth. "Mrs. Webb, I understand the crash that killed your son caused several cars to catch on fire. Clay's being one of them."

Porter Webb lowered her eyes. "Yes, that is true. I'm afraid Clay's body was burned beyond recognition."

"That must have been hard for you. I'm sorry to ask, but is there any chance the body wasn't Clay's?"

"Of course it was him. What is your point?"

"I have reason to believe he is still alive."

"Commander, I can assure you my son is dead. There are other means of identification. Dental records confirmed Clayton was the person in the crash." Her gaze drifted toward an urn on the fireplace mantel. "Before you ask about exhuming a body, I had his remains cremated. The ashes are all I have left."

"I'm sorry. I won't take any more of your time. Thank you for seeing me." Harm rose to leave.

"You don't have children, do you commander."

"No ma'am, I don't."

"A parent knows these things. I don't need proof my son is dead. If you ever have children, I hope you never have to go through what I have."

"I understand, ma'am. I'll see my way out."

Harm walked slowly to his car. Porter Webb was hiding something. He'd bet his life on it.

JAG Headquarters
June 16, 2004
1300 Local

When Jennifer Coates saw the copy of Mac's note, she knew exactly what the Colonel was trying to say. She was telling someone her whereabouts. Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca was had been her favorite childhood book.

When Commander Turner told her of Commander Rabb's suspicion about Clayton Webb, she did some digging and came up with some very interesting information.

Jen knocked on the door to Sturgis's office.

"Enter."

"Sir, did Commander Rabb say he would call in?"

"No, why?"

"I have some information that I believe he'll find helpful." She told him her theory.

"You could be right. Let's give him a call." Sturgis dialed Harm's number, then put the phone on speaker.

"Rabb."

"Harm. Petty Officer Coates has some information for you."

"What's that?"

"Well, sir, it's about a book."

"A book? Sorry, Jen, but if this doesn't have anything to do with Mac, I don't have time now."

"It has everything to do with her. Let me tell you the opening line. 'Last night, I dreamed I went to Manderley again. It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while, I could not enter, for the way was barred to me.' Don't you see, Colonel Mackenzie was trying to tell you where she was being taken."

"It still doesn't give us much of a clue. I don't know of any nearby places called Manderley."

"Manderley is a house. A large secluded estate. A person could hide forever there and never be found. When Commander Turner told me you suspected Mr. Webb, I searched for real estate records that might be linked to him. I found an estate registered to an Elliott Forbes Porter Trust. He was Clayton Webb's great-grandfather on his mother's side."

"Go on."

"The property has been in the family for generations. It's on the eastern shore. Not a long drive from DC. And sir, the house's name is Manderley."

"Good work, Jen. You may have just saved Mac's life."

Harm ended the call, then pressed the speed dial for a familiar number. "I know where she is," he said when the person answered. "Ready to go?"

"Damn straight."

"I'll pick you up in twenty minutes."

"I'll be waiting." The line clicked dead.

Hang in there, Mac. I'm coming for you.

Manderley
June 16, 2004
1300 Local

Except for the times he brought food, Clay had left Mac locked in the second-floor room. For someone who claimed to love her, he wasn't acting like it. She questioned him when he brought her lunch.

"How long are you going to keep me here?"

"As long as it takes to make you forget Harmon Rabb."

Mac had wanted to wipe the smirk off his face. Clayton Webb's haughty attitude had always rubbed her the wrong way.

"You deserve someone better than him. Sarah, you know Harm will leave you someday. You're just another one of his obsessions. Once he gets tired of you, he'll move on."

Mac couldn't deny that Harm had many obsessions in the past, but she refused to believe she was one of them. What they had shared the past few months was real. Like the pattern in their rings, it was for eternity.

Tears formed in her eyes at the thought of Webb forcing her to leave the ring behind. What would Harm think?

"I can give you all the things a woman wants. This house. The finest clothes and jewelry. I'm wealthy, Sarah. You'll have everything you want and never have to work again."

"But I don't want you, Webb. I'd rather live in a one-room shack with Harm than in a mansion with you."

"You're confused right now. Don't worry, Sarah. I'm a patient man. I've waited eight years. I'm not going to give up now. You'll come around."

"You could keep me here forever, but you'll never make me forget Harm."

"We'll see about that." There was that smirk again. And then he was gone.

Forty-one hours and twenty-six minutes had passed since Clay kidnapped her. At least she hadn't lost her sense of timing. For all the good it would do.

She needed a plan. She'd be damned if she surrendered to the wishes of Clayton Webb.

Think, Mac. Think.

She doubted he was here alone. Preparing meals was beneath him. He wouldn't risk dirtying his three-piece suit. At the least, there had to be someone in the house to do the cooking. Maybe a maid as well.

Mac would be willing to bet they were long-time, loyal servants. No chance in getting any help from them. If she caught him off guard, she could take Clay down. Disable him long enough to escape the room.

Then what? He'd brought her up a wide staircase off the front foyer. If someone else was in the house, getting past them wouldn't be easy.

I always know where you are.

She heard Harm's words almost as clearly as if he'd been in the room. Couldn't help but smile at remembering when he said that to her. They had just returned from a mission in the Barents Sea.

Had he returned from the Seahawk? Last time she spoke to him, he'd expected to be there at least another week. Did he even know she was missing? When he read the note, would he see her hidden message? Doubtful he'd ever read Daphne du Maurier. How was he supposed to figure it out?

At least Sturgis and the others would soon know something was wrong when she didn't show up on Monday. What was Webb's plan then? He'd forced her to tell Harm she was going away forever but made her tell Sturgis she would only be out for a few days. Didn't make sense.

Hang in there, Mac. I'm coming for you.

Harm's voice again. He knew! He was near. She could feel it.

I'm here, Harm. Please come soon.

On the Road to Manderley
June 16, 2004
1500 Local

Harm drove with the same intensity and concentration he used when flying a Tomcat. He had a mission to complete. Rescuing the woman he loved.

At least he'd had the wherewithal to exchange his 'Vette for the Lexus. It would be hard to fit three people in his sports car. He glanced toward his passenger. He wasn't sure what caused him to phone AJ Chegwidden after he learned of Mac's disappearance, but he was glad he did.

Chegwidden once broke Webb's nose in Russia when the spook put him and Mac in danger. What would he do to the bastard now?

Harm and his former CO had come to terms with their disagreement regarding Paraguay. He wondered if AJ felt a little guilt over allowing Mac to accompany Webb. Whatever the case, Harm lucked out when he called and learned the former SEAL was in town and more than ready to help with rescuing Mac.

"You love her, don't you, son?" AJ said.

"Yes, I do."

"I asked you a question before you went to Paraguay. I know the two of you have been together for a few months, but I'll repeat it. What are you going to do to keep her?"

"One day, in the near future, I plan to ask her to marry me."

"Good. I could see that coming the first time the two of you laid eyes on one another. I expect a wedding invitation."

"You'll have one, sir."

Harm slowed the SUV as the neared Manderley.

"Looks like this is it. Better not get too close. The element of surprise will be on our side."

"Right." Harm found a secluded area off-road. Parked the Lexus, then both men started walking toward the estate.

"Wish we had the cover of darkness, but if we cut through those trees, we should be okay," AJ said.

"Let's hope Webb doesn't have some kind of fancy outdoor security system."

"If he does, we'll deal with it."

The two men made their way toward the house, stopping when they came to the edge of the trees. Harm was reminded of the time they went after the admiral's daughter in Italy. Harm said a quick prayer for their success.

Someone walked outside. Webb. The bastard was alive. Motioning to AJ to stay put, Harm rushed to the opposite side of the house. He didn't have to look back to know AJ had his six and that Webb was in the scope his rifle.

Harm stopped, then flattened himself against the wall. Instead of walking toward the sandy beach, Webb moved toward a rocky ledge.

"I've got him, son. Make your move." AJ's voice came through the earpiece.

The sound of the waves lapping against the rocks gave Harm an advantage. In a dozen long strides, he reached Webb. Grabbed him from behind.

"Where is she, Webb?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Rabb."

"You damn well do. Tell me where Mac is, or I'll break your scrawny neck."

"Sarah came with me willingly. Didn't you read her message?"

"Oh, I read it all right. Answer me this. If she didn't want me to find her, then why did she leave clues throughout the note?"

"Maybe she just wanted you to know what you'd be missing. After all, it wasn't your name she screamed in bed last night."

"You son of a bitch." He tightened his grip, but Webb had a surprise move of his own.

The former spook's elbow crashed into Harm's ribs, causing him to momentarily let go. Webb swung his fist but Harm ducked, causing Clay to lose his balance. The momentum sent him over the edge of the cliff.

Chegwidden rushed to Harm. Together they looked at the rocks below.

Harm didn't have time to mull over what happened. Mac was here somewhere. He rushed inside the house, looking for any signs of her presence. A quick search of the ground floor proved futile, so he bounded up the stairs, looking inside every room. He came to a door at the end of the hall. It was locked.

"Mac. Mac, are you in there?"

"Harm? Is that you?"

"Yeah, baby. It's me."

"He locked me in here. I can't get out."

"Get away from the door, honey. I'm going to break it down." Mustering his strength, he raised his leg and kicked near the lock. The wood splintered easily. One more solid kick and the door came open.

Mac rushed to him, and he drew her into his arms. "It's okay, baby. I'm here now."

"He… held a gun to me and made me write the note. I didn't want to do it. He said I belonged to him, and he would make me forget you." Her tears flowed freely.

"It's okay, sweetheart. It's okay."

"Oh, God, Harm. He's out there somewhere. He's got a gun. We've got to get out of here."

"He won't hurt anyone else again, honey. Clayton Webb is dead. And this time, It's for real."

A/N: Love Will Find a Way by Pablo Cruise