Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I just enjoy
writing about them.
Classification: PG 13
Category: Harm and Mac/ Drama
Summary: All who have ever watched JAG know that Mac and Harm are
connected maybe not openly as most shippers would want, but the fact
that they are soulmates can't be denied.
Written: 1/2002
Part 2
When I arrived at JAG HQ later that morning, the atmosphere was tense with sympathetic looks from the enlisted staff. Tiner directed me to the conference room where the entire senior staff, Webb, an NCIS representative as well as someone from the DC police were convened. Webb signaled me to take a seat next to him. He maintained his normal impassive expression except that he was continuously twirling a Mont Blanc pen through his fingers. I resisted the urge to take his hand and hold it. Webb doesn't have many friends, but Harm is definitely on that short list. But we must all keep our defenses in place. We must maintain that control and find the son of a bitch who did this and cut his heart out I thought rather psychotically.
"That would be stooping to that son of a bitch's level wouldn't it?"
"I didn't mean to say that aloud." I whispered to Webb as the DC police detective explained that he would be interviewing staff at JAG.
"What didn't you mean to say aloud?" Webb whispered back.
"About cutting the SOB's heart out." I replied a little irritably.
"Which SOB?"
"The one you said I would be stooping to his level." I responded louder than I should and brought the attention of all the occupants in room to us.
Webb frowned and shrugged.
After the briefing, Webb, the Admiral and I eased into the Admiral's
office.
"What have you found out?" The Admiral addressed Webb.
"Palmer is safely locked away in Leavenworth. I can personally vouch for that. I don't know where else to start."
"Bud and Sturgis have gleaned Harm's case files and have a stack of possible suspects, but there is always the possibility that it was a burglary that went sour. Maybe someone looking for money to buy drugs." The Admiral sighed. The blood vessel on his right forehead was visible indicating he was trying to control his anger.
"It wasn't a burglary."
"It wasn't a burglary?" I echoed.
"Why don't you think that Mac?" The Admiral and Webb waited for my response.
Well who said it then? I realized two sets of eyes are waiting for my answer.
"I ah, I have a feeling that's all." I know I've had premonitions, and unexplained visions, but that voice was getting clearer each time and familiar.
"Is this one of 'those ESP moments'?" The Admiral asked carefully.
"No sir, just a feeling. I believe it was someone Harm knew." I explained receiving a very doubtful look from the CAI agent who placed his hands in his pants pockets displaying his Brooks Brothers suit vest.
"Webb, Mac has a seventh sense about these things." The Admiral came to my rescue.
Webb's eyebrow shot up. "When you get some clearer directions, let me know. In the mean time I'll do some checking on my own." Webb replied with a tinge of sarcasm and our meeting ended.
I went straight into Harm's office, closed the door and rubbed my head. "I'm going nuts." I plopped down into his desk chair and picked up a framed picture of Sergei and me in Russia.
"No you're not."
"Harm?" I turned and looked around the office.
"I need your help Mac."
"Okay, I've lost it."
"Mac you've always known where I was."
"You're in the hospital."
"Mac, go to my apartment and check the windows."
"Why the windows?"
"Why do you have to argue with me all the time?"
I smiled at that one. "Okay, let me tell the Admiral."
'Excuse me sir, but I've just lost the one remaining screw that held
my little bit of sanity in tact. May I have the day off?' Works for
me.
Tiner and Singer stood outside of Commander Rabb's office and watched the Marine Colonel pace around the room talking to herself, "This has been an extremely stressful year for the Colonel." Tiner rationalized to Singer who gave him a dubious look.
"Maybe the Colonel needs to talk to a professional instead of the walls." Singer quipped and scurried towards the Admiral's office to tattletale. Before she reached his office she tripped and fell taking a full trash can with her. Several staff ran to her aide while I walked past the recovering Lieutenant to the Admiral's office to explain that I felt ill and needed to go home.
I gathered my purse and cover from my office and headed to the elevators after meeting with a more than sympathetic Admiral. He looked as if he was about to call it a day himself. I tried to conceal the smirk on my face as I passed Lieutenant Witch who was busy dressing down one of the enlisted staff about tripping her.
"It's not nice to enjoy someone else's misfortunes." Harm's condescending voice was undeniable.
"I saw her trip. There was no one and nothing to trip over." I pointed out as I entered the elevator alone.
"You think I did that?"
"Why not? You're talking to me now and that's impossible. Great now I'm talking to myself."
"Nothing is impossible."
"No, I've just lost a few of my marbles. I am not talking to you, and you did not trip the next female JAG." I decided I didn't need to allow myself to continue to indulge in these hallucinations.
Silence...
I am in control...I did not hear Harm's voice...this was just a normal response to a stressful situation. I began to hum to myself to block his voice. The problem with that strategy was that when I didn't hear him, I felt an overwhelming sense of despair.
To be crazy or devastated...that was the sixty-four thousand-dollar question. Not much of a choice I thought sadly.
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