Deadly Mission

By LuisaC


AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story was started last year, and finished this year. Therefore, there is no knowledge of Webb's death. Mattie is in only slightly.  As other authors have written, the characters in this story belong to Bellasarius Production. I wish I did own some of them.

SUMMARY: The day comes when Harm is forced to confront Webb and Mac as a couple, but there is much more. Webb has requested that Harm work on a mission which could prove deadly. Harm reluctantly accepts the mission when he finds out his parents could be in danger.

JAG HEADQUARTERS FALLS CHURCH, VA. 1705 HOURS

Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., had prepared himself for the day he would first see Colonel Sarah MacKenzie and CIA Agent Clayton Webb, not as a man and a woman working on a mission, discussing strategy, or even facing danger, but as a couple in love. It had finally happened. Harm thought he could accept her choice just as he had with Mic Brumby so many years earlier.

Seeing her with Clayton Webb was a totally different matter. Harm had never believed that Mac was truly in love with Mic, not the kind of love that two people share in order to spend the rest of their lives together. Clayton Webb was not only wrong for her, but Harm wondered how long they would last together if they did get married. It would mean Mac getting hurt all over again, but she had made it clear to Harm that she did not want him interfering in her personal life. Harm wondered what attracted Mac to Webb.

Sarah MacKenzie was not a woman who liked being left out of her man’s life. Mac was a demanding woman, and rather harsh at times. It was one of the things that Harm loved about her so much. Sarah could be as feminine as she was tough to be a Marine. She would not take anything from anyone, but when she was in love, there was a glow that seemed to frame her face. Harm was proud of her, knowing she had fought hard to achieve her current status. She carried herself with pride and self-confidence and a passion for everything she did in life. That was just one of the many things that Harm loved about Mac.

Thanks to Mac’s sensitivity, she had forewarned Harm that Clay was coming by the office later in the day to pick her up and to talk.

“Are you setting your wedding date,” Harm asked, not even knowing why he asked those words. He remembered the day she and Mic had set their wedding date. “I’m sorry, Mac, it’s really none of my business.”

“No, we aren’t setting a wedding date, and in a way you are right. It is none of your business, but as a friend, both you and everyone at JAG will know when that happens.” Mac turned away and said under her breath, “Not that it will ever happen.”

“I apologize, Mac. We’ve both moved on with our lives. I’m happy for you, and thanks to you, I do have Mattie. Thank you for letting me know about Clay. That was very kind of you.” Harm’s voice was low, and even though he attempted to sound cheerful, she could hear the pain clearly.

“Perhaps I should apologize as well. I gave you a difficult time on the Overton case. It should have never gotten out of control the way it did. I’m just glad that we did the right thing by him.”

“We always do, Mac. Maybe that’s why the admiral keeps putting us on the same cases.”

“Maybe,” Mac smiled. “I better go. I’ve got some research to do.”

“Mac,” Harm stopped her as she turned to walk away. “What time is Clay coming?”

Mac stared at Harm, knowing exactly why he was asking that question. He would do everything possible to be out of the office when Clay arrived.

“I wish I could tell you, Harm, but I really don’t know.”

“Okay,” Harm said, turning his attention to the paperwork on his desk.

Harm did try to find excuses to be out of the office, but as luck would have it, Coates came in and told him that the admiral wanted to see him at 1600 hours.

At 1445 hours, Clayton Webb arrived and headed straight for Mac’s office. Once again, Harm was grateful that he was still in the small, out-of-the-way office. Harm had kept his door shut hoping that Clay would not come over to greet him.

Finding a way to leave the bullpen, Harm sneaked out of his office and went downstairs to get a Diet Coke, which he could have gotten from the machine just down the hall. He wondered how long he could hide outside without someone coming to look for him. He was really hoping that Clay and Mac would leave before he had to go back to the admiral’s office for their meeting.

Turning, Harm saw Clay and Mac walking out, holding hands as he ushered her into his car. They hadn’t seen him for they were too absorbed in each other. Harm felt a searing pain in his heart. He tried to turn away, but he couldn’ t. It was almost as if Harm was punishing himself as he watched Mac lean over for Clay to kiss her. Harm crushed the can of Coke he was holding in his hand, the liquid spilling all over his hand. He didn’t even feel it. The only emotion that was overcoming him was the agony of seeing Mac with Clayton Webb.

The coke began to soak through his shirt before Harm finally realized what had happened. By then, Webb and Mac had driven off. It was only then that Harm realized he had been holding his breath as he watched them. He had known it would be painful, but this was pure agony. Harm couldn’t stay there any longer. He tried to clean his shirt as best he could and went back to his office. Once again, he closed his door and never looked up until it was time to meet with the admiral. At precisely 1600, Harm stood at the door to Coates outer office.

“Go on in,” Coates told Harm. “The admiral is waiting for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Commander? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just spilled some coke on my shirt and have been trying to get it off, but as you can see, it didn’t come out. I hope the admiral doesn’t notice.”

“He will, Sir,” Coates said, grinning. She was trying not to reveal the shock that Harm was in for when he entered the admiral’s office.

Harm knocked on the door and waited until he heard the admiral telling him to enter. When he did, Harm could not speak. He stood by the door, wanting to bolt right out.

“Come in, Commander. I’m sorry to put you through this, but we have an assignment for you.”

“Sir, I’d rather not…”

“I’m sorry, Commander Rabb, but we have a serious situation out in California. The CIA has asked for our help, and Webb asked for you specifically.”

Harm tuned and looked at Webb, unable to hide the resentment in his eyes. He would not look at Mac at all.

“Why? Why me, Webb?”

“Mac asked for you, and I agree. We need the best people JAG has…”

“Does Mac work for the CIA now,” Harm interrupted bitterly.

“Commander Rabb, this is not the place for personal discussions. You will be working with the Colonel. By the time this case is over, we may have several of our people working with you. Whatever your feelings are, you are going to have to put them aside.”

As Harm looked at Mac, standing very close to Clay, and the admiral defending her, he truly considered telling all of them to go to hell. He was tired of being yanked around by all of them. Harm knew he wasn’t blameless in all this mess, but he was truly tired of being the one to have to compromise. Harm shocked the admiral.

“Perhaps it would be best if we considered other options, Admiral Chegwidden, like my permanent resignation.”

There was a dead silence in the room for several seconds. Harm could see the admiral shaking with anger and he knew he was about to get yelled at, but damn it, he was human.

“Commander Rabb, you may resign as soon as this case is over with, but until then, you are under my command and will follow my orders. Is that understood?”

“There is another option, Sir. Court-martial.”

“Harm, don’t do this,” Mac said, her voice punctuating every word. Each one sounded angrier than the one before as she looked at him. “I asked for you because this could affect your mother and Frank.”

Without saying another word, Harm turned to the admiral and waited to hear what the case entailed. He couldn’t understand what his mother and Frank had to do with it, but if they were in danger, he had to listen.

“Can we continue now, Commander,” the admiral asked, his voice cold as ice.

“Yes, Sir,” Harm replied, his voice almost as icy as the admiral’s. He still would not look at Mac or Clay.

The admiral handed Harm a folder, still shaking with anger. His own situation with Meredith made the admiral a little bit more forgiving in regards to Harm’s feelings, especially since he and Mac would be working closely with Clay. Despite his coldness, the admiral fully realized that Harm would love to beat Clayton Webb to within an inch of his life. After all, he had felt the same way when he found Meredith.

Harm looked at the folder, reading as fast as he could. His heart started beating faster as he read the reasons for this mission.

“As you can see, there has been an outbreak of an unidentified virus at Camp Pendleton and Miramar. There have also been come cases reported at Dana Point, but we don’t know if they are related, or if it is just coincidental, but you know how I feel about coincidences. I don’t believe in them.”

“Has the CDC been called in yet,” Harm asked, no longer resisting.

“They have, but they need more details. I am requesting that Commander Teresa Coulter meet you at Miramar as soon as she is available. You are going to need her. Also, Commander Turner will be returning from his case in Baltimore within a day or two, so if this case warrants it, or if there are more reported victims, both the CDC and people from JAG, and I’m sure other branches of the service as well as the medical profession will be out there. We don’t want to start a panic, so try and be discreet. We have to contain this situation as quickly as possible without alerting the media.”

“Keeping the media out of it is going to be the hard part. Have any of the city leaders been notified?” Harm had forgotten his objections, or for that matter, that Webb was even in the room. For now, he was completely focused on the mission at hand.

“The commanding officers from the bases are aware, of course, but we are waiting before we notify the Dana Point officials.”

“Dana Point isn’t too far from where my parents live,” Harm said. “I’d like permission to evacuate them to my apartment should it become necessary.”

“Of course. Let’s hope it won’t become that serious. You leave in two hours.”

“Yes, Sir,” Harm said.

“Anything else, Webb?” The admiral looked at the CIA agent and was surprised to see the concern in his eyes. Was it for Mac? Was it because she would be working with Harm? Could the concern actually be for Harm? He waited to hear from Clay.

“Not right now, but you know that we will be looking for any kind of chemical warfare, like anthrax or Ebola. Harm, I know you’d…”

“Skip it, Webb. I’m sorry for my reaction. The admiral is right. Work is not a place to discuss personal feelings. I take it that the Colonel will be going to Camp Pendleton while I go to Miramar.”

“I’d like us to stay together, Harm, if that’s okay with you,” Mac spoke up. “Let’s see if there is any reason for concern before we split up.”

“Whatever you say,” Harm said, barely glancing at her.

“No, Commander, you are in charge, so you have…”

“Sir, being in charge doesn’t matter to me. I just want to get out there, make sure my parents aren’t in danger and get this over with ASAP. You can count on me to cooperate with Webb in any way I can.” Harm’s voice left no doubt in anyone’s mind that all personal feelings had been put aside.

“Thank you, Commander, but I still want you in charge. Colonel, Webb, you’re dismissed. Commander, please stay.”

Mac started to object, knowing that the admiral was only going to give Harm a hard time, but when she looked at Harm; she suddenly felt all the anger he did. Harm deserved whatever the admiral was going to tell him. She and Webb walked out.

“Sir, I…”

“Harm, don’t apologize. I’m only sorry that I have to put you in this situation, but as you can see, it is urgent. You must have known that sooner or later you would be asked to work with Webb again. Perhaps it’s best that you accept it and do the best you can. I know everyone had been wondering what happened between Meredith and myself. I won’t go into details, but suffice to say that I understand your feelings. However, when it comes to your work, you have to put your personal feelings aside.”

“I understand, Sir. I do apologize. I’m a Naval officer, and that should come first.”

“Harm, we’re human. Now, go get ready. Let’s hope this is nothing but an epidemic of the some flu strain. Keep me up-to-date.”

“Sir, I’d like permission to secure early. I’d like to see Mattie and explain to her that I may be gone for a while. I also need to talk to Jen, P.O. Coates, I mean.”

“Granted, Harm. Please tell Coates if she needs anything, especially regarding Mattie, that she can call me. What are you going to tell your mother?”

“Actually, Sir, you just gave me an idea. I am going to ask her to come out here to get acquainted with Mattie, get to know her and they might as well stay at my apartment. I’ll tell Frank a little more, but Mom doesn’t need to know just yet.”

“You know the media, Harm, so don’t keep her in the dark too long.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Dismissed.”

“Aye, Sir, and thank you for your offer of help with Mattie.”

Harm turned and walked out, hoping that Webb and Mac had gone to her office. He wanted to concentrate on the case and not be distracted by Webb’s presence here at JAG. Thankfully, Webb had gone to Mac’s office, her door was closed and the blinds were drawn. He turned away refusing to even consider what was going on.

“Jen, we need to talk. Ask the admiral if you can give me about ten minutes.”

“Yes, Sir,” Jen replied, looking quite concerned. She went into the admiral’ s office and returned within less than a minute.

“Your office, Sir?”

“If you don’t mind being cramped in there with me, yes. I don’t have much time and I want to talk to Mattie before I leave.”

“You know I’ll take care of her, Sir. Same arrangements…”

“No, Jen, not this time. I am going to call my mother and ask her and my stepfather to stay in my apartment. I don’t know how long this is going to take and I’m not being fair to you. As Mac reminded me a long time ago, you are a young woman. I’m keeping you so busy that you don’t even have time to go out on a date.”

“Sir, I’d rather stay home with Mattie and enjoy a movie than go out with a guy who has eight hands by the end of the evening.”

Harm chuckled. He was becoming very fond of this very special young woman who seemed to be sharing more and more of his life since Mattie became his ward. Hell, he knew that Mattie was more Jen’s ward than his, but he had grown to love the young girl like a daughter. Now, looking at Jen, he realized he loved her the same way.

“I’m still having Mom come out and help you out. It will also give Mattie and Mom the chance to get to know each other. The three of you can have your girl’s night out and don’t worry about my Mom being a prude. She isn’t. She teases me that I am more prudish than she is, so you will enjoy her. I’ll let you know when they are arriving.”

“If that’s what you want, Sir, but it really isn’t necessary, unless you think…”

“Jen, I trust Mattie more with you than I would with anyone else,” Harm interrupted, noting that Jen had mistaken his actions. “I’m not doing this because I don’t trust you. You’re better with Mattie than I could ever hope to be. However, I’d like Mom to get to know you too. I hate to admit this, but I’m almost old enough to be your father. Maybe it’s time Mom met her two granddaughters. Now, go on. I am going to the school to see Mattie before we leave. I’ll call you from Miramar as soon as I arrive. And you always know how to reach me if necessary. I think you can count on the admiral also.”

Jen looked surprised when Harm mentioned the admiral.

“The admiral?”

“This case is a little different, Jen. I really do want my mother to get to know the other two women in my life. As for the admiral, he’s not as gruff as you think he is, Petty Officer. I have to leave now. Thank you, Jen, and just because Mom and Frank will be here doesn’t mean that you aren’t in charge. You make Mattie toe that line.”

Both of them got up at the same time and Harm just stared at Jen. Impulsively, he took her in his arms and hugged her, holding her close to him. Jen was startled, then she understood Harm’s intentions. Just as Harm looked up, he saw Mac looking through his windows, staring at them.

JAG HEADQUARTERS MAC’S OFFICE

Walking with her usual stride, Mac had marched out of the meeting with the admiral with Webb right behind her.

“My office, Webb,” Mac almost made it an order.

Webb smiled. He had grown used to Mac’s ways. She seldom asked, just demanded. He was surprised to note that Mac rarely smiled. Frowning seemed to suit her better. Mac hardly used the words ‘please’ or ‘thank you’, but you could always see it in her eyes. She was quite harsh most of the time, but those who knew her were aware of the soft, caring woman inside. The most alarming side of Mac was that she slept very little. It was almost as if she was afraid to close her eyes for fear of some major catastrophe taking place, but Webb could never get her to tell him why she seemed terrified at times.

Arriving at her office, Mac had gone straight to her desk. Clay closed the door, prepared for Mac’s rebuke, knowing it was about Harm. It was always about Harm.

“Harm was right. We could have found a way to get his parents out without involving him. He’s…”

“A big boy, Sarah, and he can handle it. Actually, if you hadn’t reminded me that his Mom and stepfather are close to the dangerous zone, I would still have asked for Harm. I think he will agree with me. Sarah, he’s the best, next to you. Lt. Roberts might be too concerned for his family, and rightly so. But his family includes small children. Harm’s family does not. I am doing this because of my own closeness to my mother, Sarah. Perhaps Harm doesn’t share the same kind of relationship with his own mother, but she is the only family he has left. Besides, you and he have always made an invincible team. We need the best, Sarah. This could be the biggest threat we’ve had to our mainland since…”

“I realize it, but I don’t like it, Clay. It could just be an epidemic of Asian flu or one of all the other viruses that have come along since then. Why the urgency in this one?”

Webb stared at Mac. This wasn’t like her to ask such a question. She knew the danger that faced them on a daily basis and one of them was the threat of chemical warfare.

“I have to go, Sarah. Keep me posted. I’ll fly out in a day or two.”

Clay leaned in to kiss Sarah, but before he did, he closed the blinds. It was about this time that Harm had left the admiral’s office and noticed what everyone else had seen.

Harm had wanted to talk to Mac, to thank her for her concern about his parents, but instead he smiled at Jen and then went to his office.

JAG HEADQUARTERS FALLS CHURCH, VA NINETY MINUTES LATER

Harm had returned from seeing Mattie, packing his clothes and trying to contact his mother. He had finally gotten through to them and asked to speak to Frank first.

“Hello, Son. What’s going on?”

“I need a favour, Frank. A big one this time.”

“Anything. You know that, Harm.”

“I’ve been assigned to a case that may take me away for as long as two weeks. Although I have P.O. Jennifer Coates taking care of Mattie, I would feel much better if you and Mom could come out and stay at my apartment. You could meet Mattie and Jen, who is fast becoming like another daughter to me. I really would appreciate it.”

“Hold on,” Frank said, very obviously putting his hand over the phone.

If they refused, Harm would have to tell Frank the truth and he wasn’t prepared to do that right now when it could turn out to be nothing serious. It wasn’t Frank who came back on the phone, but Harm’s Mom.

“Harm, it’s Mom.”

“I recognize the voice, Mom,” Harm said, trying to sound cheerful and unconcerned.

“You better. Was this really your idea, or did Frank put you up to it?”

“Why would Frank put me up to it?”

“I’ve been complaining that I haven’t even met my granddaughter, and now you call us and ask us to come out to meet her. Soooo, did Frank put you up to it?”

“No, Mom, he didn’t. I’m sorry we haven’t been out to La Jolla so that you and Frank could meet Mattie, but it’s been rather chaotic here.”

“I heard about you defending the Secretary of the Navy. You and Mac were brilliant.”

“I can’t take credit for that one, Mom. The SECNAV did it with his own words. He was the one who was brilliant. Now, will you take me up on my offer? I don’t have much time left and I really would like to know that my Mom and Frank are finally getting to know the only granddaughter they are ever going to have. How about it?”

“Frank already told me we could leave today. Will we get to see you?”

“No, Mom, but I’m hoping you will stay and visit with me after I return. I have to get back to JAG. They are waiting for me now.”

“We’ll get a cab to your apartment.”

“No, Jen and Mattie will pick you up if you come in this evening. I’ve already asked Jen.”

“Any possibilities Jen might finally steal my son’s heart?”

“Oh, she has already, Mom, but not the way you think. She’s young enough to be my daughter if I had gotten married young. You will love her, and Mattie, well, she is my girl.”

Trish smiled as she heard Harm’s voice. She also heard the sadness. Harm might have Mattie and this girl named Jen, but he didn’t have the woman he loved, and from the little he had told her, Mac would never be a part of his life except for being his partner.

As he walked into JAG now, he saw Jen walking towards him. She had a worried look on her face.

“The admiral wants to see you right away.”

Protocol was dispensed as Harm and Mac walked into the admiral’s office. Harm expected Webb to be there, but he wasn’t.

“Did you contact your mother, Commander?”

“I did, Sir. She and Frank are arriving here in Washington later tonight. I just asked them if they could take care of Mattie while I was gone, but gave them no details.”

“Good. Colonel, are you okay?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, your transportation is waiting for you. Whatever you do, take every precaution.”

Continue to Deadly Mission, Part II