Title: Sadik's Revenge
Author: Tempus Meum
Rating:
Disclaimer: The characters and premise used in this story are unfortunately not owned by me. If JAG was mine…the possibilities.
Summary: Sadik is after revenge.
Chapter Two
1915
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington DC
It took Mac about 15 minutes to get to the wall. Pulling up in the car park, she killed the engine and stared out at the people situated at different places along the wall, she couldn't see Harm but she counted six people, most of them elderly. Seeing this as no threat she climbed out of the car and made sure to lock her doors before leaving it. Not seeing Harm didn't really worry her, she hadn't expected him to be sitting out in the open if he was in fact hiding from someone. Making her way up the wall, she was very alert looking everywhere around her for any sign of trouble. Her hand was sweating slightly in its place around the gun in her pocket. Stopping she read down the list of names on the closest section of wall and stopped when she seen 'Harmon Rabb Senior'. She was about to continue when she spotted the piece of paper. It was protruding from the little hole next to his father's name that was usually reserved for a flower. Using her fingernails, which she was glad she had not filed back on the plane when she was bored. Unrolling it she saw but one word, 'Lincoln'. She turned it over and finding nothing she read the word again, completely puzzled, when it finally struck her a few seconds later Mac quickly turned on her heal and headed away from the wall towards the Lincoln Memorial.
1930
Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC
Two minutes later she was standing next to the statue of President Abraham Lincoln, Harm was still nowhere in site. Turning in circles and walking around the circles about five times she was about to give up when she spotted another piece of paper, carefully positioned between the feet of the deceased ex-president. Unrolling she found a phone number meticulously scrawled in Harm's hand. Pulling her mobile out she dialled the number.
Mac didn't even get a word in as Harm's voice said, "Be there in 5!" and then the line went dead.
True to his word five minutes later she recognised Harm at the end of the reflecting pool walking towards her, slowly walking down the steps she walked toward him, stopping next to the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
As he came to stand in front of her, the look on her face must have gave her feelings away. He opened his arms to her and she immediately stepped into them, wrapping her arms around his waist as he pulled her into his chest. Harm cringed in pain but it went unnoticed by Mac, that was something he would have to explain to her later and he really wasn't looking forward to it.
"Are you ok?" She asked, pulling away from him several minutes later.
"Yeah…you?" He replied, looking down at her. Mac nodded.
"What's with this?" She asked holding up the pieces of paper.
"I didn't want anyone else to find me! Not many other people would know who Sarah was, they might think it was you, but if they did know my grandmother was Sarah, they couldn't possibly get her number. It isn't listed."
"You're just lucky it's in my speed dial!"
"It is…?"
"Yeah."
"Learn something new everyday." He just smiled down at her with his hands still on her waist.
"I'm…I'm sorry Harm." Mac whispered as her eyes dropped to his waist.
"What for?" he asked as his fingers went to her chin and raised her face up so there eyes met.
"For everything…for this…for Sadik…for putting you through this." She stammered as she pulled away from him and walked towards the water. "If it wasn't for me Sadik wouldn't be after you. He want's me not you. I'm sorry."
Harm walked up behind her and placed his hands back on to her waist. "You know someone once told me that you shouldn't apologise, it's a sign of weakness."
"Maybe I didn't know what I was talking about."
"You did Mac, and that statement was right then and it is now. You have no reason to apologise. I am not going to let him hurt you, and if it means that he is after me too then so be it."
"I don't want you to get hurt Harm, I think we should just not see each other until this is over." He slowly turned around to face him.
"You know that isn't going to happen Mac, I'm not going to let him keep me from my best friend, and there is no way I am going to let you face him alone. And no that isn't because I don't think you can handle him alone, it's because I don't think you should take him on by yourself. Whether you like I or not I'm with you on this until the end."
By this time tears were streaming down her face as she looked up at him. "You know Mac you are letting the Marines down here. What would they say if they saw you crying?"
His attempt at a joke cheered her up a bit as she stopped crying and managed a smile.
It was getting quite later and the temperature had dropped quite a lot while they had been standing there, Mac finally started to notice it as she gave a small shiver. That didn't go unnoticed by Harm. "Hey, your cold lets go back to the place I am staying." He said as he took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"And where might that be?" Mac asked as she pulled the jacket around her.
"It's Catherine Gale's apartment but she doesn't use it anymore."
"Oh!"
"I had to stay somewhere, come on it is only a short walk from here." Harm placed his arm around her shoulder as they walked back the direction he had originally came from.
"Oh I forgot, I have to call the Admiral he is probably worried sick at the moment." Mac reached for cell phone.
"Don't use that," Harm said putting a hand over hers to stop her from dialling the number, "just in case, you can use the phone back at the apartment. We should be there in five minutes."
"Ok." Mac replied as she put her phone away.
2015
Catherine Gale's Apartment
South Of Union Station
Ten minutes later they were in Catherine Gale's empty apartment and Mac was on the phone to AJ, quietly trying to explain that they were both safe and that they would let him know in the morning what they planned to do.
As she hung up she looked over at Harm who was watching her from the other side of the room. "So you still haven't told me what happened this afternoon."
"No I guess I haven't."
"So?"
"Well I drove back to my apartment after leaving JAG, as I had forgotten the present that I wanted to give Mattie. When I got close I spotted a car in my usual spot. There was someone sitting in the drivers seat. It wasn't until I got closer that I realised who it was."
"Sadik?"
"Yeah. So I just kept going, he obviously didn't recognise my car, as he didn't follow me. When I got a few block away I pulled over and tried to work out what to do. I didn't want to call anyone at the office, just in case he knew any of them, or had someone watching the place. I knew Catherine had this apartment so I called her and asked if I could use it. I told her I couldn't go home at the moment and I promised that if I need help I would call her."
"And se just gave you the keys?"
"Yeah, she seems to trust me."
"Hmm…weird isn't it." Mac said trying to ease a bit of the tension
"Hey." Harm gave her a light punch before continuing with the story. "Anyway, for quite a while I didn't know what to do. But then I remembered that you would be home today, and that he would be after you, so I devised the little trail that I left you, and called Gran and set it all up.
"What do you think he want's?" Mac asked after a few seconds of silence.
"I don't know revenge I guess."
"Yeah you are probably right." Mac fished into her pocket of her jeans for the note that AJ had found in her apartment.
"Where did you find this?"
"The Admiral found it on the back of the door in my apartment."
"So he has been inside your apartment. You should have it checked out to make sure he didn't plant anything in there."
"Yeah your's should get done to, I will ask the Admiral to organise that tomorrow."
"So what now?" Mac asked, she didn't like the idea of hiding out, but at the moment they really had no choice.
"We eat and then we sleep, and then tomorrow we work out what we are going to do."
He replied with a grim look on his face.
"Pizza?" She suggested.
"I guess so."
Mac picked up the phone and dialled the familiar take-away pizza number; two minutes later she hung up after ordering a pizza half vegetarian, half meat lovers.
An hour later they were sitting next to each other in silence, after having finished the pizza.
"You know a lot of people were worried about you this afternoon." Mac interrupted the silence.
"I did call Mattie at around midday, I told her not to call the office so no one would be worried, but it was too late she had already talked to Jen. I probably should have called the Admiral, but I really didn't know what to say, I wanted to wait until you got back so we could work out what to do. "
"The Admiral found the note on your desk."
"Oh!"
"How did you get it."
"Ahh, don't worry…"
"Harm…Harm, how did you get it? It is about me I need to know."
"Mac, trust me you really don't want to know this."
"Please Harm, I do trust you but I need to know." Mac was facing him, and looking into his eyes. She could see the hurt and apprehension.
"Ok…well…I ah went jogging on Thursday morning on my usual track, and half an hour in I realised I was being followed."
"What? Who was it?"
"Well…I don't know, when I turned a corner I got knocked to the ground. They hit me with something across my chest and when I got my breath back they were gone and the note was on my chest."
"Are you Okay?"
"Yeah"
Mac just looked at him for several minutes, she was concerned that Harm was telling her everything, but she didn't want to say anything in case he got defensive.
"Mac, I am okay honestly, a little bit sore, some bruises and cuts and scratches, but I am okay."
"Have you put anything on the cuts?"
"They're okay."
"Harm… please let me look at them it will take my mind off this, and you don't want them to get infected."
"Alright, if it will make you feel better."
"It would."
"Catherine said there is a first aid kit in the bathroom, so I will go and get it." Harm winced as he went to stand up. It didn't go unnoticed by Mac as se quickly stood up beside him, quickly convinced him to stay where he was and went to find the kit herself.
Five minutes later she was back and Harm was sitting on the couch with his shirt off looking down at his chest, which was purple from the bruises and the scratches. Any other time Mac would have loved to just stand there and stare at the bare chest of her partner but looking at the deep purple colour of his pecks she was instantly concerned.
"Harm…are you sure you haven't got any broken ribs, there is a lot of swelling and bruising there."
"No its ok I just need a bit of rest"
"I am trusting you here Harm, but any time the pain gets worse make sure you tell me ok and I will take you to a doctor."
"I don't need a doctor."
"Just promise me."
"Ok I promise."
Mac sat down next to him and pulled out the antiseptic and began to clean the cuts and scratches on his chest. "They must have used a branch or a log or something, I can't think of anything else that would leave cuts like this. What does your shirt look like, it must be shredded?"
"I…ah…wasn't wearing one."
"That would explain it."
Mac continued to clean Harm up; she applied antiseptic cream to the cuts and placed a bandage over the deeper ones. When she finished she placed the things onto the coffee table and sat back in the chair.
After a few minutes she said. "I'm sorry Harm. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be hurt like this."
"Mac we have been through this, it isn't your fault." But Harm's words of comfort were too late to stop Mac from showing the heavy emotion that she was feeling. Her head fell into her hands as the tears streamed down her cheeks.
Harm lifted his arm and placed it around her shoulder as he pulled her into his chest. It may have been painful but he needed to comfort her, he could feel the wetness of her face on his bare chest. "Please don't cry it's going to be okay, we are going to get him Mac and he will never be able to hurt anyone ever again. I am not going to let him hurt you Mac I promise." As he spoke to her he rubbed slow circles on her back as she calmed down.
He held her for half an hour and when her breathing had finally returned to normal he sat up and pulled her away from him. "Come on it's time to get some sleep, you can take the bed and I will stay here on the couch."
"You shouldn't sleep on the couch, I seen the bed Harm it's big enough for the both of us."
"I guess… Catherine said there are some clothes in the bottom drawer of the dresser that you can wear."
"Ok." Mac stood up and turned around to face him "Let me help you."
"I'm Ok."
Harm please, humour me."
"Alright, alright." Harm gave up and let her help him up; she then led him into the bedroom. Mac took some clothes out of the draw and then went into the bathroom to change, when she got back Harm was already lying down in the bed.
"These don't do much for my figure do they." Mac choked as she came back into the room with a baggy t-shirt and pair of tracksuit pants that were both a couple of sizes to big.
Harm smiled. "You know you look good no matter what you wear." Or don't wear he thought.
Mac climbed into the bed, as she noticed how close to the other side of the bed Harm actually was. "You know Harm, this is a pretty big bed but I don't bite."
"I know." He replied as he moved towards the middle of the bed. "Oh we didn't turn out the lights.
"It's alright I'll get it." Mac jumped out of the bed, and was back two minutes later after checking the door and the windows to make sure they were all locked an then turning out the lights.
As she came back in Harm asked her. "Are you sure you don't mind me in here."
"Harm I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want you here."
"I guess not." He replied as Mac climbed into the bed.
She reached under the covers and found his hand, entwining her fingers with his she said. "I am sorry that you had to get involved with Sadik Harm, but I am glad you are here, I don't think I could do this alone."
"Well…you won't have to Mac I am going to be hear until the end of this." He replied "And longer if you will have me" he added in an almost inaudible whisper.
Mac had heard him loud and clear, she was a bit apprehensive at first, but after a few seconds she squeezed his hand and rolled over placing her head on his shoulder, away from the bandages and the bruising. "You can stay as long as you want. Goodnight Harm."
Despite the pain Harm lifted his arm and placed it around her shoulders holding her more firmly to his chest. "Goodnight Sarah."
0630
Catherine Gale's Apartment
South of Union Station
Harm woke to the feeling of pins and needles in his right arm, as he became aware of his partner sleeping in his arms, he remembered the events of the previous two days. The aches and pains of the bruises on his chest made him think about what exactly they would be in for if they went up against Sadik. Looking down at her sleeping in his arms made him realise, what exactly he would do to assure she wasn't hurt at all. He didn't know how he would cope if anything ever happened to her, especially if he was supposed to be looking after her.
Raising his hand he ran his fingers through her hair and down her cheek. "I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you Sarah."
He watched her for several minutes as she slept, he didn't want to try and move her, but he wanted to make breakfast. He decided he would stay there until she woke. Really there was no urgency, they had to sit down and device some sort of plan, and then call the Admiral, he was about to rush out and try and fight off a terrorist when he could hardly move. And having Sarah MacKenzie sleeping in his arms was too good to give up in a hurry.
Ten minutes later she began to stir, still running his fingers through her hair, Mac opened her eyes, looked up at him looking down at her and smiled.
"Morning sleepy." He said pushing the hair away from her face. "How did you sleep?"
"Good, like a log, surprisingly."
Harm smiled. "Feel like some breakfast? Wait stupid question, when is Sarah MacKenzie not hungry?"
"Ha ha. I've just woken up and already you are picking on me."
Harm gave a small chuckle "Sorry, just trying to cheer you up. Forgive me?"
"Always!" Mac smiled "I would love some breakfast, but…" Mac raised her self up on one elbow and looked down at him, "…you really shouldn't be getting up."
"What you think I'm going to let you cook?"
"Hey, you're doing again. If you weren't already in pain I would hit you right now."
"Well I'm lucky then aren't I? I'm okay I need to get up and move around, I am all stiff at the moment."
I'm sure you are Mac thought. "Would you like me to help you up?"
"I would actually; I honestly don't think I can do it my self."
Mac was shocked for a moment; it wasn't often that Harm admitted that he needed help. She got off the bed and went around to his side, and carefully helped him to sit and then stand up.
"You Ok?" Mac asked as he carefully stretched
"Not really but, there is not much I can do about it is there. Now you can have a shower if you like and I'll get some breakfast cooking."
"I haven't really got anything to wear."
"I am sure Catherine won't care if you borrow some of her clothes."
"My overnight bag is in the car back at the wall, but I am not really sure if I can risk going back to get it, you don't know who has seen it."
"Yeah your right. When we cal the Admiral later we will have to organise us both getting some clothes. I have a few that I had packed to go to Mattie's place, but not many. But at the moment just get some of Catherine's she honestly won't mind."
"Ok, I will be out in a while." Mac said as she walked in to the bathroom and closed the door
Harm stood there until he heard the shower and then he went into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast with the groceries he had gotten the day before while waiting for Mac to call.
Twenty minutes later Mac walked out of the bedroom, in a pair of Catherine's jeans and a tank top, to the smell of bacon and eggs. And as she got closer to the table she also saw pancakes and fruit salad. "Harm you didn't have to go to this much trouble…and when did you have time to go out and get groceries?"
"I went yesterday morning, I could stand sitting around here doing nothing. Now sit down and eat. And then we can try and work out what to do."
"Can't wait!" Mac replied as she sat down and began to fill her plate.
Harm returned from the kitchen two minutes later with two glasses of orange juice and two cups off coffee that he placed on the table before sitting down and feeling his plate with pancakes and fruit salad.
Half an hour later, with the dishes cleared and two more cups of coffee they sat side by side on the couch ready to work out a plan.