Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is for
entertainment only.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Category: Harm, Mac, Drama
Beta Reader: Carolyn
Summary: Harm becomes involved in an investigation of an alleged rape
in a small southern town. Warning some language and scenes depicted are violent.
PART 5
Courtroom
Jackson
"The prosecution calls Commander Harmon Rabb." Bill Myers, decked out in an expensive suit, stood and announced with a tone of arrogance.
Harm sucked in a deep breath and approached the stand. After being sworn in, he sat in the witness stand wishing he was prosecuting. Bud gave him a supportive nod.
Bill Myers began with questions concerning Harm's interview with Williams, followed by questions concerning the night of Williams' murder. Then the defendant's lawyer began to cross examine.
"Commander, on the night of Corporal William's murder, did you see Earl Rayborn anywhere around the area?" The attorney spoke smoothly.
"No." Harm answered flatly, knowing where the defense was headed.
"So you could not identify your assailants?"
"As I explained earlier, they wore hoods and robes."
"So you cannot positively identify my client as one of the men who assaulted you?"
"No."
A low mumble could be heard throughout the courtroom.
"No further questions."
Bill Myers stood up. "Commander, did you hear anything that gave you reason to believe that Earl Rayborn and his friends participated in the attack against you and in Williams' murder?"
"I heard one of the men say, 'This is for earlier tonight.'"
"What happened earlier that evening?"
"Two of the men who were associated with Earl Rayborn tried to start a fight in the local cafe. It ended on the street. They were not successful."
A few chuckles were heard in the courtroom.
"So you believe this person was referring to that incident?"
"OBJECTION, asking for an opinion."
"I'll withdraw the question." Bill Myers stood contemplating his next question. "Commander, you witnessed the brutal murder of Corporal Andre Williams?"
"Yes," Harm began to feel uncomfortable.
"Describe for us Corporal Williams' death."
Harm saw Del and Corretta Williams sitting behind the prosecution's table. He did not respond immediately as a flashback of that night began to take over his thoughts.
"Perhaps photos of the scene will assist you." Myers handed over exhibit c to Harm.
"What the hell is that pompous ass doing." The Admiral whispered to Mac.
"Oh no, Harm hasn't seen those pictures." Mac looked worriedly at the Admiral.
The prosecutor smiled as he achieved the affect he had hoped for. Harm's expression of shock and pain immediately received sympathy from each of the members of the jury. But Myers persisted, "Commander, was Williams' death immediate?"
Harm looked at the Williamses, afraid to hurt them. Del caught his gaze and nodded for him to continue. Harm then looked around until he was able to see Mac. Her eyes held his, giving him the strength to speak. "No."
"Then please describe the event immediately before, during and after his death."
Bud glared at the attorney. It was obvious he was grandstanding to sensationalize the case for his own political agenda.
"Answer the question Commander." The judge prompted.
Swallowing hard he proceeded. "Corporal Williams' hands were tied behind his back, and he had been placed on a large barrel. A noose was pulled tightly around his neck. He begged them not to do it. He told them he didn't hurt Carly Sue Speed. The six of them decided he was guilty, and one of them kicked the barrel out from under him." Harm paused unable to continue.
"How long would you say it took before he died?" Myers persisted.
"OBJECTION, the Commander is not a medical officer and is not qualified to pronounce someone dead."
"Over ruled. I'll allow it."
Harm looked sadly at the Williamses, then returned his gaze to Mac. He then began to count aloud, "One, two, three...fifty, fifty-one...one hundred two, one hundred three." Everyone in the courtroom had begun to shift uncomfortably at the counting. "That's how long it took." Tears streamed down the Williamses faces and many others in the courtroom.
"Oh God." The Admiral muttered softly. Vietnam had been painful but, damn it, they were in the United States. How could this happen? He had watched Mac's gaze hold Harm's throughout the testimony. It was like some unseen message of strength was communicated. He breathed deeply, 'Rabb was going to be all right.'
The jury was out only an hour before returning with a guilty verdict. The Williamses hugged Harm, who just wanted to escape from all the people. Earl Rayborn was convicted of Williams' murder, but Andre Williams was still blamed for Carly Sue Speed's murder.
Needing to escape the reporters and well-wishers, Harm hastily exited the courthouse. Mac called out, unable to stop him. Instead, she ran into Bill Myers in the conference area just outside the courtroom. He seemed especially pleased with himself. "Just what the hell were you doing with that last line of questions? Do you realize you only succeeded in hurting the victims of the situation, you pompous jack ass." Mac spit in anger.
"Come on, Colonel, you're an attorney. I know you'd use any tactics you thought necessary to win your case." He smirked.
Mac then slapped the man across the face.
The look of surprise on Myers' face was worth a million bucks to the Admiral, who caught the action.
Myers rubbed the reddened area on his face, "I should press charges, Colonel!"
"Future Senator slapped by female Marine for making harassing remarks. Wouldn't look good for one's political career." The Admiral remarked, as Mac exited the room still fuming.
Mac reached the outside in time to see Harm leaving. For every step forward it seemed there was two steps back, she thought.
********
The Admiral, Mac and Bud caught up with Harm at the airport. Bud approached him first, "I'm sorry about the questions. I didn't know he was going to use the pictures like that."
"Bud it's over. Let's don't talk about it okay?" Harm frowned and patted the Lt. on the shoulder. All he wanted to do was go home.
**********
The drive from Dulles to Harm's apartment was deathly quiet. Mac attempted to make light conversation only to be ignored. Maybe she should call Al. Harm's demeanor worried her. Today had been more stressful than imagined. She still felt angry at Myers.
She followed him into his apartment, not sure if she should leave. He seemed so quiet and sad. "Harm, can I stay with you tonight?"
"Mac, I'm just tired. Go home." He made a brief eye contact with her, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
Mac observed his defeated expression before turning towards the door, intending to leave. She stopped, overwhelmed by a need to hold him and try to take away some of the pain that he so carefully held inside.
Slowly turning around she spoke softly, "Harm."
His eyes met hers and, for a moment, she could see the inner torment he was experiencing. She slowly walked to him, no longer caring that he may try to push her away again. This time she had decided she must go with her own instincts and gently wrapped her arms around him. She felt him stiffen and jerk slightly away in pain.
She moved around to his back and lifted his shirt.
"Please don't." He pleaded softly.
She continued and bit her lip as she saw the whelps and bruising, evidence of that horrible night. Slowly and gently she began to kiss each bruise and whelp, while tears ran down her face. When she finished, she slowly began to remove each piece of his clothing and guided him to the bed. He refused to look at her as she slowly disrobed and slid into the bed next to him. Her arms encircled his shoulders, careful of his injuries, and pulled herself next to him. She felt his unaffected arm slide under her and pull her even closer, holding her next to him. He felt the soft creaminess of her skin against his as he stroked her back. Her legs wrapped around his and her face tenderly rubbed his.
He had no desire to push her away...to think about right or wrong ... regulations ... who they were. He just needed her to hold him, and he needed to hold her and never let her go. He was no longer alone with all the pain he felt.
She kissed and stroked his chest, his face, his neck. He inhaled her sweet scent and touched her soft skin. His desire for her grew as the slow caresses created a need to join with her. He felt a deep yearning, an emptiness that only she could fill, physically and emotionally. She yearned for him to enter her and hold her.
Tenderly, she guided him into her, gasping at the sensations that flooded her most inner self. He slowly rocked within her, aware only of the physical sensations she created...her softness, her closeness, the taste of her lips. He felt the urge to move deeper and faster, to lose himself totally within her. Her breathing escalated as she rocked in rhythm with him, wanting him to fill her deeper...deeper.
She felt his warm skin, his moist hungry lips, his tongue, and inhaled his own sweet scent. She felt so complete being one with him.
They peaked together, shuddering at the sensations that traveled throughout their bodies. But instead of pulling apart, he pulled her even closer, if that was possible, and remained within her, not wanting to experience separation from her.
Her nurturing filled the painful void of powerlessness that had threatened his very soul. She completed him. She shared herself completely, giving him what he so desperately needed. She snuggled against him, her nose and lips nuzzling against his neck as she felt him slowly relax and sleep. She stroked his face and placed his splinted arm securely over her hip and allowed herself to sleep, intertwined and connected with him...
***********
Mac was startled as she awoke to Harm's screams, "NO! NO! DON'T DO IT!" Covered with beads of sweat, he was thrashing against the sheet.
"Harm, wake up. It's all right." Mac tried to shake him from the nightmare.
He fought against her, pushing her almost off the bed. "HARM!" she yelled, trying once again to stop the dream that held him captive.
He sat up, breathing deeply and rapidly, disoriented to his surroundings. Mac slowly approached him, hesitant to touch him until she knew he was aware of who she was.
He stared at her absently until he realized it was another nightmare. Mac closed the distance and pulled him into her arms, stroking his hair and kissing his forehead. "You're with me now." She whispered as she began to feel his body shaking and then realized he was sobbing.
Tears dropped from her face into his hair as she gently rocked and held him, allowing him to cry. "He keeps asking me to help him. Every night I see him...his parents. They beg me to help him." He held tightly to Mac and continued sobbing. Mac had never felt so helpless in her life. She continued to hold him and rock gently.
After what seemed like hours, Harm finally drifted back to sleep. Mac lay awake, unable to return to sleep, worrying. Harm was like a time bomb waiting to explode. In the morning, she would call Captain Al Milsaps and the Admiral.
*********
Mac slept lightly, waking up every hour to check on Harm. He seemed to be sleeping more soundly during the last two hours. She looked at the clock, realizing her inner time mechanism was not functioning. They had both overslept and were late for work. She eased out of the bed, careful not to wake him, and dressed quietly before picking up her cell phone. She went into the living room and dialed the number on the card Captain Milsaps had given her.
"Captain Milsaps." The voice immediately responded to the ring.
"Captain Milsaps, this is Colonel Mackenzie. I spoke with you a few weeks ago concerning Commander Rabb." Mac kept her voice low.
"Of course, what can I do for you? How is Commander Rabb? I haven't seen him since he was discharged from the hospital."
"I don't know if you've followed the trial." Mac began.
"It was pretty graphic, from what I read this morning in the Times. How did Harm handle the trial?" His voice reflected concern.
"That's why I'm calling. I stayed with him last night...I didn't think he should be alone. He's having terrible nightmares. I don't know what to do, and I'm worried."
"Has he mentioned a desire to hurt himself or end this by..."
"NO! I don't think he would intentionally try to kill himself." The thought was totally unacceptable to her.
"Sometimes victims of crimes are so overwhelmed that they would do anything to escape the pain. I don't think the act of suicide is so much intentional, but more of an escape." Al did not back away from the subject. He needed her to understand that her friend could be contemplating death. Anyone given the right circumstances would.
"Colonel Mackenzie, do you think you could get him to see me this afternoon at 1500?"
"I'll try." Mac responded weakly, "I do whatever it takes." She added more confidently.
"Call me if you need me Colonel. This just takes time. Harm's lucky to have someone like you who cares." With that he hung up. Mac leaned back against the sofa clearing her thoughts before making a second call.
"Admiral Chegwidden's office, PO Tiner speaking,"
"Tiner, I need to speak with the Admiral."
"I'll connect you, please hold Colonel."
"Chegwidden."
"Admiral."
"Colonel, it's good to hear from you considering you and Rabb are both 45 minutes late."
"Admiral, I stayed with Harm last night...He seemed pretty upset after the trial. I'm really worried about him. I called Captain Milsaps, the psychiatrist who saw Harm in the hospital. He agreed that he needed to see Harm this afternoon." Mac explained with great difficulty, unsure of how the Admiral would respond.
"What's going on Mac?" the Admiral was obviously concerned.
"He's been having terrible nightmares. Last night was really bad." Mac's voice broke as she attempted to regain control before continuing.
"Captain Milsaps is concerned that Harm may try to...to hurt himself."
The Admiral sank back in his chair. "Stay with him and make sure he goes to that appointment. Is there anything I can do? ... I'll get Bud to file that pretrial motion on the Berry case. I don't think that the Commander had anything that can't wait. Call me, Mac." The Admiral hung up the phone feeling a wave of guilt. 'I shouldn't have sent him to investigate that case alone.'
Mac hung up the phone and turned around to see Harm watching her.
"Harm, I didn't want to wake you. I called the Admiral to tell him you needed a day." Mac could tell he was angry.
"Mac, I think you need to leave." He spoke carefully, while trying to restrain his anger.
"Harm, I'm worried about you...I called Captain Milsaps. He thinks it would be a good idea for you to see him today." Mac walked toward him using her most soothing voice.
"Mac, I don't need your worry. I will handle this. Would you please leave? I need to get ready for work!" He turned and retreated to the bedroom, where she saw him pulling a uniform from his closet.
She picked up her purse and keys and quietly left. 'One step forward, ten steps backwards. You're timing stinks, Mac' she thought as she pulled the door shut behind her.
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