TITLE: "New Beginnings III - Truth Will Out" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: The third chapter of the New Beginnings series, in which Harm and Mac make tentative steps toward making 2002 ‘our year’ as they promised. Herein Mac is forced to face the truth about the person harassing her. SRated PG for mild language and violence. DISCLAIMER: JAG belongs to CBS, Paramount et al. No copyright infringement is intended with this work of fiction. FEEDBACK: Yes, if you're moved to do so, to [SSbpmn@aol.com] and it would be much appreciated by both of us. However, if your intent is only to tell us you are not liking our work, please don't spend the time. While we realize our work does not please everyone, we do ask that the journey be respected. NOTE: All parts of this story and previous chapter will be available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories No subbing is required to read from the message archives. Also, previous chapters, as well as our other efforts, should be available at http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag/ or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at- http://www.shipperarchive.com/fanfic/ Previously in PPF: Major Ryan Nichols, with all assault charges against him dropped, joins the staff at JAG, to work with Mac and Harm, and Lt. Brooke Hastings, also a new attorney onboard. Not completely convinced of his innocence, Mac begins to believe he has turned his attentions to her. "New Beginnings III-Truth Will Out” "Stalked, how? And why would you think it's Ryan?" He demanded, concerned and confused at the same time. "Because it started when he was found innocent and started visiting here about the job, and he knows I don't like him--knows I still harbor doubts about his innocence, and he's afraid that I'm going to find out the truth about the allegation and ruin him." "Would you stop and breathe, and would you listen to yourself while you're doing that," he chided her gently, all but bodily lifting her from her chair to first thumb away her tears and then give her a swift hug, only to frown when he felt her in his arms. "Mac calm down now, you're actually trembling here. Come on, let's walk outside where we can talk." She nodded and with a guiding hand to her back he walked her to the side door where they stepped on the grassy area behind the building. Once away from the building, his arm went across her shoulders and he pressed her tightly against him. That she made no objection worried him even more and he led her to a distant bench. "OK spill it," he ordered, forcing himself to remain calm and ignoring the fear for her that was turning his stomach into knots. "Everything." "The night the verdict came in--you remember we had a sandwich and then you went on home instead of coming up--my answering machine was full of hang ups. Eleven to be exact. I just figured someone got the wrong number and wouldn't believe it." "OK, go on," he urged, still feeling her tremble. "The next night you had that interview at Quantico remember and I went home alone. There was a note on my door. Just a few lines, about how he wanted to ask me out, and that he enjoyed looking at me and so forth. I just figured it was some guy who picked the wrong door. My hallways are dark, the doors look alike and there's always people coming and going." Harm nodded again, trying to keep his face impassive. "But the next night we did our dinner and TV thing. Nothing happened." "Flowers in front of my door when I got there," she corrected him. "I threw them down the trash chute before you could see them. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea." She choked down a quick sob. "I was afraid--I didn't want you to think I was seeing someone. I mean we're just trying. . .OK never mind that. But the note would have made you think. . ." "Think what?" "That me and this guy had spent the night before together. It was pretty explicit." "OK. You've been bagging this stuff right?" "Yeah of course," she nodded. "This morning there was someone in my parking lot when I walked out. Someone watching me from two rows over. I couldn't see the lower half because of the cars but he was wearing a Marine type khaki jacket. Like Ryan this morning." "Mac you know you can buy those in a dozen surplus stores in D.C. What else have you got?" "You know how Ryan was here yesterday to talk one more time with the Admiral? Well he and I walked out together when I was going to meet that civilian attorney and he asked me out." "Was he serious?" Harm gasped. "And I didn't mean that like it sounded. I mean there would be nothing wrong with. . .well as far as he was concerned it would be. . .OK I'm putting my foot in my mouth here. He was seriously asking you out? And when you said no--uh you did say no didn't you?" "Yes I did," she snapped. "I told him I wasn't interested in dating anyone because I was sort of involved. . ." She reddened as she looked into his eyes. "Well we are sort of--aren't we?" "Yeah we are," he smiled softly. "OK, let's have the rest. You got more reason this morning to think it's him?" "After the meeting this morning, you know I went into my office. Then I went out to pick up the mail and when I came back there was a note propped on my desk--run off the xerox and it said. . .here look for yourself." She reached into the pocket of her uniform pants and withdrew the crumpled sheet. "You should have bagged this," he admonished her. "Yes I know but it was making me sick and I just wanted to rip it to shreds." Harm bit his lower lip as he read, feeling his blood begin to boil. The sender had escalated the game overnight. "I think after yesterday when I gave him that face to face no," she whispered, willing back tears. "Who else could it be?" "Right now I see no one," he told her, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. "Let's go have a talk with Major Nichols." Seconds later Harm marched into Ryan's office, Mac right behind him. "Sir, ma'am, is something wrong?" Ryan asked after Harm closed the door behind him. "Something is going to be very wrong with you if you don't tell me why you're harassing Mac" Harm snapped. "Excuse me sir?" Ryan said with obvious confusion. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about." "Quit the dumb act Major" Harm said tersely. "Since you're been here Mac has been receiving harassing phone calls and notes. Which leads us to believe it's you." "Sir, it's not me" Ryan said firmly. "Ma'am, I'm sorry if you took my asking you out the other day to do mean something more than it was. I was just trying to get to know you better. I wasn't intending for us to date or anything like that. I just thought we could share a pizza and talk. You know I’m still feeling my way here, and I know that you and I aren’t exactly on the same page. I just thought we could maybe get better acquainted since we have to work together." "So you deny sending me the notes and making the phone calls" Mac spoke up. "Ma'am it is not me" Ryan replied. "Look, I know you weren't thrilled that Admiral Chegwidden selected me to work at JAG. But I'm not going to send you notes and call you because you don't like me." "Or because I turned you down?" "Ma'am, honest, you're not my type" Ryan said with a small smile. "And I would never get involved with a senior officer. I would very much like my time at JAG to be good for my career, not ruin it." "Where were you this morning around 07:00?" Harm asked, remembering how Mac had seen someone at her building when she'd left. "At the gym sir. You can call and check. I work out every morning before I come in." "What's the name of the gym?" Harm said as he reached for a piece of paper and pen. "Cause I will check." "Go ahead and call" Ryan said after he gave Harm the name and number. "Several people will tell you I was there. Look, I'm telling you, it's not me." Mac gave him a leery look and Harm let out a long sigh. "All right, I'll call and then we'll see what's going on around here." "You believe him?" Mac snapped. "He tells you he's not the one and you just believe him." "Mac, maybe we should go back to my office" Harm said gently. "I know you're upset." "Just forget it Commander" Mac said irritably. "I'll handle this on my own thank you." She started towards the door before stopping and giving Ryan a long look. "And I suggest you stay away from me Major. Unless it's in the course of business, do not come near me." She stomped out the door and to her own office, slamming the door behind her. "Sir, I swear to God it's not me," Ryan said quietly when she left. "You know I didn't do anything to Ensign Miller and I am not the one stalking Colonel Mackenzie." "I believe you" Harm sighed. "But I saw the note she got. Someone is stalking her Major. And I need to find out who it is before this gets out of hand." "What can I do to help?" Ryan offered. "I really don't want Colonel Mackenzie to hate me." "Just keep your eyes and ears open for now" Harm said quietly. "And stay out of Mac's way. You don't want to mess with her when she's like that." "I will sir" Ryan promised. "Why did you ask Mac out?" Harm asked suddenly. "Sir, I really do want to fit in around here. I thought that the Colonel and I could go out and get to know each other better. Find some ground to communicate. Honest that was it. I was serious when I said I would never get involved with a senior officer." "But if she wasn't a senior officer?" "Sir, you have to admit the Colonel is hot," Ryan said with a small smile. "To be honest, I don't know how you and her have worked together for six years and never gotten involved." "Whatever you do, don't ever say what you just said to Mac" Harm warned. "As for the rest, it's complicated." "So you two have been involved?" Ryan prodded. "You better stop while you're ahead Major." "Uh, sorry sir, I apologize for those remarks sir" Ryan said quickly. "Noted, just don't let it happen again," Harm said as he started to the door. "In the meantime, I am going to check the gym and make sure you were there this morning." "Please do sir. I have nothing to hide sir." Harm did just that, learning that in fact Ryan had been there as he'd said. With a sigh Harm realized that Ryan wasn't the person. That meant someone else was after Mac. "Mac" Harm called as he knocked on her door later. "What do you want?" she asked as she opened the door a few seconds later. "Can we talk please?" "Sure, whatever" she sighed as she walked back to her desk and sat down. "What did you want to talk about Commander?" "Mac, my gut instincts tell me Ryan isn't the person," Harm said quietly. "I know you think he is but I don't." "Fine, you believe him and not me." "No, that's where you're wrong. I believe someone is stalking you. I just don't believe that person is Ryan." "So where does that leave us?" Mac said quietly. "It leaves me to find the real person stalking you. And until I do, I'm not letting you out of my sight." "OK that makes me feel some better. Harm this is bringing back memories of Coster and Dalton and I was sure I had put that all behind me. I hadn't had that nightmare in a long time. If you don't think it's Ryan, then I'm willing to try to think otherwise. But who?" "I don't know honey," he said softly, using the endearment without thinking because of her distress. "Ryan's story about being at the gym checks out. He's signed in and out and the attendant remembers him being there. OK?" "Yeah I guess," she sighed, still not fully convinced. "What else?" "Well we know that most of the time these guys do this stuff because that's all they're capable of doing--like men who make obscene phone calls and well. . .you know. . at the same time because that's all they can do." "Coster wanted to do more," she pointed out. "He was insane," Harm reminded her. "And he's serving his time in a psych ward and. . .and maybe I'd better check on that little fact right now." "Harm I'll do it," she told him. "Sure?" "Yeah. I need to be doing something here." "OK, meanwhile I'm going to call Leavenworth to make sure of Palmer, and then we've eliminated both those possibilities we can go on." Harm gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and walked out, meeting Ryan coming toward his temporarily-assigned desk. "Is the Colonel OK?" he asked anxiously. "She will be. She was a little upset, but I think the best medicine is for her to take a pro-active role in finding the truth here." "I agree and I want you to let me help too. Please sir." "I'll let you know," Harm told him. "Meanwhile I'd stay away from her." "Yeah I will for the time being," Ryan agreed. "I don't believe this. I just got through the nightmare with Miller and it's happening all over again." "Major it is not happening all over. We are a long way from bringing any charges. I happen to believe you." He took a long breath and when he spoke again, his voice had taken on a lower, almost deadly tone, "but god help you if I find out you're out to hurt her." "No sir, and I understand," Ryan returned, meeting Harm's steely gaze with his own. "You're just a little protective of her." "No Major, I'm a lot protective of her. And I'd kill anyone who hurt her." "Is that a threat sir?" "No it's not. You know what it is," Harm told him quietly. "Yes sir," Ryan nodded. "But I want to help." "OK, because you haven't given me any reason at this point to doubt you," Harm told him. "You can start checking new civilian hires and new military--say in the last thirty days. See if there's anything in their backgrounds that might indicate a proclivity to this. And don't limit it to men only." "Yes sir, I can do that," Ryan nodded. "Permission to ask Brooke to help?" "Granted, and Major, about what I said--if I came on too strong. . ." "No sir. You care about her. If someone was threatening someone I cared about like that I'd be that upset--probably more." "Anything?" Harm asked as he walked into Mac's office a short time later. "Coster's still in jail" she said with a forced smile. "And word on the Palmer front?" "In Leavenworth where he should be" Harm replied. "Mac, we'll find whoever is doing this." "The sooner the better" Mac sighed. "Mac, we should tell the Admiral what's going on. Especially since this stuff has been happening here." "Yeah he probably should know," she said quietly. "Mac, it's going to be okay," Harm said as he gently pulled her into his arms. "I promise. We'll find this person before he can do anything." "Harm, I'm scared" she whispered. "It's like déjà vu." "I know," he said as he held her tightly. "But I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise that." "What if they want to hurt you?" she sniffled. "I just keep thinking about Coster and how he killed Dalton. I don't want anything to happen to you." "Nothing is going to happen to me. I'm much more worried about this sicko hurting you. But it's going to be okay. Trust me, okay." "I do trust you," she said as she finally let go of him. "I trust you with my life. You came through for me when I needed you last time." "And I'm here for you now" he said softly. "You ready to go tell the Admiral what's going on?" She nodded and moments later they walked into AJ's office. "Mac, why didn't you say something sooner?" AJ demanded once she told him what had been happening. "I thought it would stop" Mac sighed. "And then after today's note, I realized it wasn't." "Harm, are you sure that Major Nichols isn't behind this?" AJ asked. "Sir, my gut says no way. He's not the type." "You don't agree Mac?" AJ said as he noticed her frown. "I just don't get a good feeling about him" Mac sighed. "I know Harm thinks that he's not the one, but I just can't explain it." "Okay, what are we doing to find out who's behind this?" AJ asked. "Sir, I've asked Ryan and Brooke to start looking through the new hires for the past 30 days. It's possible that someone else that started recently could be responsible." "You asked him to help?" Mac shrieked. "Mac, I'm telling you he's not the one. And he offered and so I thought it wouldn't hurt to have him and Brooke do some digging." "And I'm sure he's going to find anyone besides himself to blame" Mac retorted. "Mac are you really that uncomfortable with Ryan?" AJ asked. "Sir, I don't know" Mac sighed. "It's possible that he's not the one behind all this but until I know who is behind it, I have my doubts about him." AJ nodded and looked at Harm. "You're positive he's not the one?" "Sir, I'd stake my career on it." "How about Mac's life?" AJ said quietly. "Cause that's what you're doing." Harm swallowed hard as he looked over at the woman who was becoming so much more than a friend to him. He would never forgive himself if he was wrong about Ryan and something happened to her. "I intend to make sure no one gets near Mac" Harm said finally. "Ryan or whoever else may be behind this. But I don't think its Ryan." "Okay, let Ryan and Brooke continue to dig" AJ replied. "And I want to be kept up to date on what's going on around here. Mac, if you feel the least bit threatened by anyone, I want to know about it." "Thank you sir" Mac said with a forced smile. "I'm sorry about all this." "It's not your fault and I don't want to hear another word otherwise" AJ said firmly. *************** 2 Days Later JAG HQ's "Tiner, where's Colonel Mackenzie?" Harm asked as he returned from the courtroom. "I believe her and Lt. Hastings went over to the Navy Yard sir" Tiner replied. "There a problem Commander?" AJ asked as he stepped out of his office. "No sir, just wondering where Mac was. Tiner said she was over at the Navy Yard." "I assigned her and Lt. Hastings the D&D from last night" AJ replied. "Is that a problem?" "No sir, I just don't like the idea of her being anywhere alone" Harm admitted. "At least not until we find the person behind this." "She's not alone" AJ smiled. "She's with Lt. Hastings. I'm sure they'll both be fine." Harm sighed and headed to Ryan's office. "You find anything yet?" Harm asked as he sank down into the chair. "Nothing yet sir" Ryan replied. "So far all the civilians check out okay. I'm working my way through the recent military transfers. I kinda lost Brooke to the Colonel." "Yeah they're over at the Naval Yard" Harm sighed again. "Sir, is something wrong?" Ryan asked. "No.well not unless you count the bad feeling in the pit of my stomach" Harm said finally. "Sir really, they just went to the Navy Yard, in broad daylight," Ryan pointed out. "I know you worry, but what could happen there?" "I don't know," Harm wailed plaintively. "I guess I'm over-reacting. I guess she's fine. I guess I'm losing it." "That about covers it sir," Ryan said with a quick smile. "Is there anything I can do?" "No carry on Major," Harm sighed. "I'm going to call her cell. If you hear from Brooke, you can let me know." At that point he stalked into his office, slamming down his folders. Logically he knew he could not keep her tied to him twenty-four hours a day. At the same time he would if he could. "Mac answer," he growled into the phone, which joined the folders when all he got was her voice mail. An hour passed with Harm growing increasingly nervous, pacing the small office and barking at anyone who darkened the door. "Sir you need to relax before you worry yourself into a stroke," Ryan advised when he brought Harm some paperwork. "And go ahead and yell at me if you want." "No I don't want to do that," Harm sighed, taking the file. "I'm sure she's fine. We would have heard something if. . ." His words were cut off by Ryan's ringing cell phone. "Major Nichols. . .Brooke?. . .Brooke I can't understand you. . .Lieutenant, stop right now. Stop and breathe," he finally ordered sternly. "My God what's happened?" Harm gasped, hearing that and fearing the worst. "Ryan find out what happened." "Yes sir, but she's panting and upset. Give her a second," Ryan told him. Harm made an impatient motion for Ryan to give him the phone. "Lieutenant Hastings, Commander Rabb. Where is Colonel Mackenzie?" "I don't know sir." The phone shook in Harm's hand, his other hand gripping the desk. "Where are you Brooke? Where are you right now?" "The Provost Marshall's office sir. We were supposed to meet here an hour ago. She and I split up the witness interviews. I traced down her contacts. She saw the first three, left the last one an hour and ten minutes ago and never showed for her last one. Sir I'm not sure what to do." "OK calm down," Harm urged, not at all that way himself but knowing the younger woman was upset in view of the circumstance. "Ryan and I are on our way. While you're waiting, I want you to tell Security she's missing and describe her. Here talk to Ryan while I clear this with the Admiral." He thrust the phone into Ryan's middle and hurried out. "Hey," Ryan said gently. "Are you OK?" "This is my fault." Her voice was very far away. "Hell no it's not," Ryan yelped, and for the first time felt the stirrings of protectiveness toward her. "This is not your fault. You were not assigned as her body guard." "I know, but I should have paid more attention" Brooke chided herself. "I should have checked in with her sooner." "We'll find her and I'm sure she'll be fine" Ryan assured her. "Do what Harm said and we'll be there soon." "Come on Major" Harm said as he hurried back into Ryan's office a few seconds later. "Let's go." ********* "This is not happening" Mac moaned as she tried the door again, only to find it still locked. She'd been in search of a ladies room when she'd accidentally walked into a section of the building that was closed off for remodeling, though there were no workers there that day. Another wrong turn had taken her into a small room, a fateful move as it turned out the door locked from the outside. She pounded again on the door, before sinking back on the floor." "Next time make sure you have your cell phone in your purse and not in the car" she groaned. If she'd had that she could have at least called for help. This was not her day. ***************** "Description again please" the security officer asked Brooke. "About my height, short dark hair" Brooke sighed. "We'll get everyone looking." He picked up his two-way radio. "Sanders, this is Marshall. We're looking for a female Marine officer. Tall with short dark hair. Check all the back stairwells and get Simmons to check all the ladies rooms. And send someone up to the area that's closed off for remodeling. Maybe she got lost up there." Brooke was pacing the office when Harm and Ryan arrived a short time later. "Did they find her yet?" Harm demanded. "No sir" Brooke said quietly. "They've got all their people looking for her. Sir, I'm so sorry. I should have stayed with her. This is my fault." "No, Lt., it's not" Harm sighed. "You did what you were supposed to do. I'm the one who shouldn't have allowed her to go somewhere alone. At least not until we find the psycho who's been stalking her." "Sir, with all due respect, you can't be with her twenty four hours a day" Brooke pointed out. "Not to mention, Mac would hate to have you hovering over all the time." "She'd get used to it" Harm muttered. "At least I wouldn't be worrying like this about her." "Lt., I think we've found her," Marshall said as he walked back into the office. "And you are?" he asked as he looked at Harm." "Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie's partner at JAG" Harm said quickly. "Where is she? Is she hurt?" "Calm down Commander. I’m sure she's fine. She's upstairs on the third floor that's been closed off for remodeling. One of the guys heard her yelling he's on his way to get her out." "How do I get up there?" Harm asked. "Follow me. I was just about to head up" Marshall replied. Harm nodded and Ryan and Brooke followed the pair out of the office and up the backstairs. "Marshall, it's Sanders" Marshall's radio crackled a few seconds later. "I've found the Colonel. She's fine." "Thank God" Harm whispered as he hurried up the rest of the stairs. Seconds later he tore through the door to the third floor, seeing Mac standing in the hall talking to the officer who'd freed her. "Mac" Harm called and she turned at the sound of his voice. "Harm, what are you doing here?" she asked as she looked over at him, seeing Brooke and Ryan right behind him. "Having a stroke worrying about you," Harm said as he gathered her into his arms, oblivious of the others watching them. "Are you okay? I was so afraid something awful had happened to you." "I'm okay Commander," she said softly, allowing herself the luxury of his arms for a second before stepping away. "I'm sorry you were worried." "All's well that ends well" Marshall smiled. "Nice work Sanders. Uh, Colonel if you could stop by my office before you go so I can get your statement on what happened." "I'm real sorry for causing such a commotion," Mac said with a long sigh. "I was looking for the ladies room and I got turned around and somehow ended up here." "No problem. I'm just glad you're okay. Sanders, make sure you lock this place up this time so no one else wanders up here." "Yes sir" Sander nodded. "Brooke, I'm so sorry," Mac said as she looked over at the young woman. "It's okay Mac" Brooke assured her. "Though I don't ever want to have to tell Harm you're missing again." "Okay, so I went slightly ballistic" Harm admitted with a small smile. "But I have good right too. Mac was missing and I kept thinking about the guy who's been stalking her and well you know where my mind went." "Slightly ballistic?" Ryan smiled. "Uh, with all due respect sir, you were past slightly ballistic. More like totally ballistic." "Harm?" Mac said with a small smile. "I plead the fifth" Harm smiled. "And right now, I'm just glad you are okay. And if you ever scare me like that again Marine, I swear I'm going to have a stroke." "I'm really sorry. I had my mind on my next interview," Mac sighed, "and then what's been happening has been bothering me. . ." She paused for a long look at Ryan, who looked back with a small smile. Try as she might, she could not shake the feeling that he could be some kind of sociopath who targeted women he worked with. Sensing her thoughts, Ryan stepped away and Brooke followed him. "Anyway, I'm OK and I'm sorry." "I'm just glad you're OK," Harm nodded, reluctantly releasing her and he too sensed her thoughts. "Mac. . ." "Harm not here please. It's OK really. I'm dealing with that on my own. I don't have any choice in the matter." "Hey I'm sorry I can't share your opinion. Not without evidence. One of us is wrong; and I pray it's you because the thought of a man we work that close with being a threat to you scares me to death." "I can handle it," she smiled. "And what's making it even harder is that he's a nice guy. We could be friends." "Watch that," he teased. "I don't want any outsider usurping my role." "Not a chance Flyboy," she grinned and gave him a little push, then started down the steps. "There's only one man who's got that job," she tossed over her shoulder. "She still doesn't trust you does she?" Brooke said softly, putting a small hand on Ryan's arm. "I'm sorry. Wish I could help." "You don't think it's me do you?" He demanded, more sharply than he intended. "I wouldn't have said what I did if I thought that," she reminded him, her tone matching his. "No I don't think it's you. Don't be a moron. . .sir. My god I'm sorry. I forgot for a minute you were a senior officer." She snapped to attention. "Sir, no excuse sir." "Apology noted," he sighed. "Right now that's the least of my worries. Brooke, I really like it at JAG, and I don't want to have to leave. Moreover we all know of cases of miscarried justice. I could end up in Leavenworth." "No sir," she said staunchly. "Commander Rabb wouldn't let that happen." "Lieutenant if Commander Rabb thought I was guilty, he'd as soon kill me as look at me," he muttered. "Him and the Colonel. . .well you've got eyes." "Yes sir," she nodded with a small smile. "And they know what they're seeing. They also know I'm a little light on rank to be making any kind of comment on that." "We better get going." He turned to start down the steps and looked back at her. "You were kind of shook up earlier. You're OK now?" "Yeah I was," she admitted. "I honestly thought something bad had happened and I felt like it was my fault." "Even if it had, it wouldn't have been your fault," he assured her. "Things happen. It's part of being part of JAG." "Thanks sir," she smiled and he reached out to squeeze her arm. "Sir, I want to help you fight this thing if it comes to that. You're no more a stalker than Commander Rabb." A slow smile spread over his face as he looked into the eyes of the junior officer. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. The solution lies in finding out who's really responsible." "And I want to help with that too." "I know." And as he said the words he received another jolt of that protectiveness he was feeling earlier. He was beginning to appreciate where Harm was coming from. ============= "There you guys are," Harm called. "Come on let's get some lunch at the O Club here." "There's a good idea, thank you sir," Ryan grinned, still keeping his distance from Mac. Harm on the other hand hovered close by, still suffering the effects of the morning's scare. Once they had ordered, Harm looked to Ryan. "Ryan thanks for this morning. Keeping me in check I mean." "No problem sir. Ma'am I'm just glad like the Commander that there wasn't anything really bad happening." "Thanks," Mac said impassively. "Listen it's obvious the four of us are going to be working pretty closely from now on," Harm went on, "so I propose we drop rank and the ma'am-sir stuff when it's just us four. Can we do that?" "Brooke and I already have," Mac smiled, keeping her eyes averted from Ryan. =========== JAG HQ 4PM "It's not stopping," Mac said quietly, walking through Harm's open door. "Excuse me?" he frowned, not looking up from this file. "I just picked up my mail from Tiner. This was in it." She rattled a sheet of paper in front of him. 'Soon you will know of me. Soon Sarah. Very soon.' "I'm going to send it to the lab, but it will be print-less like all the others," she sighed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe this kook can't do anything else but write these notes and eventually he'll get tired of it." "This has got to stop" Harm said as he snatched the paper from her hands. "I swear when I find this guy he's going to wish he'd never been born." "If you find this guy" Mac sighed. "This could go on forever." "No" Harm said firmly. "I'm going to find this person. And in the meantime, I don’t want you alone. Starting tonight, I'm following you home and then I'm staying with you. And don't even tell me no." "My own personal bodyguard" Mac said with a small smile. "I kind of like that." "Good, cause you don't have a say in it" Harm smiled as well. "Until we find this psycho you are not going to be out of my sight." So began the pattern for the next several days. During the day, Harm would leave her only under the watchful eye of Brooke or Ryan. Despite Mac's insistence that she still didn't trust Ryan, Harm felt no reason not to trust him. He and Brooke had continued to sift through the personnel records, looking for anyone suspicious who'd joined the JAG staff. So far their search had been futile, no one standing out as being the possible perpetrator. At night Harm maintained his spot on her sofa, not willing to leave her alone until they found the responsible party. "Harm, you can't keep sleeping on my sofa" Mac said as they made their way into JAG three days later. "Besides killing your back you're not getting any sleep." "I'm fine" Harm assured her. "And I sleep a lot better knowing your safe. If I were at home, I wouldn't sleep a wink because I'd be worried about you all night." "Commander, the Admiral wanted to see you ASAP" Tiner said as he met them at the elevator. "That doesn't sound good" Harm sighed. Minutes later he found out it wasn’t as AJ assigned him a mishap investigation at Pax River. "Sir, can't Bud handle this?" Harm questioned. "Harm, I need your expertise on this one" AJ replied. "And Bud is going to Norfolk to handle another case." "I want Mac to come with me then" Harm countered. "No can do" AJ shook his head. "I have another assignment I want her to handle." "Sir, I don't want to leave her alone. We still haven't been able to track down this stalker yet." "I know Harm, but I need you to handle this. And I want you to take Lt. Hastings with you. She's a little green on these types of investigations and this is a good time for to learn from one of the best." "Sir, I'm not sure it's a good idea to leave Mac alone with Ryan" Harm said quietly. "She's still not real comfortable with him." "Well she's going to have to get comfortable" AJ sighed. "Because she and Ryan are going to be working together on the Jergens case. It involves a Marine and I thought this might be a chance for them to work out their differences." "Glad you're the one telling her she's working with him" Harm said with a small smile. *********** "Mac, you going to be okay?" Harm asked quietly as he stepped into her office, closing the door behind him. He'd seen her come out of the Admiral's office, her distress evident. "Yeah, I'll be fine" she said quietly. "I'm sorry I have to go. I tried talking the Admiral out of it." "I know he told me" she said with a small smile. "Thanks. Course the worst part isn't that you're going to be 75 miles away. The worst part is having to work with Ryan." "Mac, he's an okay guy. He won't hurt you." "You know that for sure Commander?" she snapped before turning away from him. "Yes" Harm said a few seconds later. "Sarah, I promise it's going to be okay. I'll get this investigation wrapped up ASAP so you won't be alone." "I hate this" she whispered, the tears evident in her voice. "I hate being afraid. I hate that I look at every person in this office wondering if they're the one doing it." "I know" Harm said softly as he gathered her into his arms. She sank gratefully against him, allowing his strong arms to comfort her. "And I hate it too. And we're going to find this person Mac. I promise." "I hope so" she whispered. "Call me when you get to Pax so I know you're okay." "You're worried about me?" he smiled as he let her go. "I always worry about you" she sniffled. "And I don't want anything to happen to my bodyguard." "Your bodyguard will be back before you know it" Harm promised. "And if you need anything, day or night, I want you to call. I can be back in less than an hour." "You flying a tomcat in?" she smiled. "I'll be fine. Go." "I'm serious Mac" Harm said softly. "I want you to call me if anything is wrong. Promise me that." "I promise. Now go." He nodded and walked out of her office, heading first to Ryan's. "Sir, I guess you heard" Ryan said quietly. "Is Mac real upset that she has to work with me?" "Mac's a professional and she'll handle it" Harm said quietly. "But that's not why I came to see you. I want you to make sure nothing happens to her while I'm gone. Whoever is stalking her has access to this building. When she's here, keep your eyes open. She likes to work late. I don't care what excuse you have to use, I don't want her here alone." "Understood sir" Ryan nodded. "I'll do what I can." "Not good enough Commander. I'm trusting her to you." "Yes sir, count on me sir." "I am." With that Harm turned and strode away. The afternoon wore on and JAG began to empty out. With frequent glances, Ryan could see into Mac's office and knew she was working quietly. "Colonel can I do anything for you before I leave?" Mac looked up to see the face of one of the new security guards, hired on since 9/11, peering into her door. "Thanks no. . .uh. . ." "Kraus ma'am. Edward Kraus, former Marine gunnery sergeant." "How long you been out?" "Three years now ma'am. Medically discharged." "I'm sorry, but welcome to Protective Services and JAG," she smiled. "Hopefully you'll never be needed.’’ "Yes ma'am," he nodded. "You're about to head home aren't you?" "Not quite," she sighed. A call from Harm that they were going to be a few more hours had not improved her mood. "Since there's no one at home for me tonight it's easier for me to do things here than pack it all up." "Well you're the last one except for Major Nichols." Immediately she stood up and looked out, seeing his head bent over his desk. "I figured he would have left a long time ago." "I think he's waiting for you," Kraus smiled. "I'll be in the area. You know how to get me if you need me." "Yeah my panic button is under this stuff," she moaned. "Carry on sergeant." When she was alone she walked to the window, looking out over the green woods behind JAG. "I miss you Harm," she murmured softly. "Our year remember." "Mac as long as we're still here, both of us, why don't we see if we can reach a meeting of the minds on the case?" Ryan called softly from the doorway. "Have you looked at the file?" She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, and looked guiltily at the blue case file sitting on the corner of her desk. "No can't say that I have," she admitted. "Reading about a woman who was stalked and then killed by her ex-husband is not my idea of a fun way to pass an afternoon. And I especially don't want to amuse myself with autopsy photos. Her throat was slashed for godsake. My frame of mind isn't going to stand up to that." "Understand. Maybe you should resign from the case." "Not likely," she retorted. "I'm just not ready to look at it now that's all. And why are you still here anyway?" "Just doing some manual reading," he told her quickly, almost too quickly. She regarded him suspiciously and shook her head. "Well you go right back to that. I think we'll postpone any Jergens discussion until in the morning thank you." Ryan nodded and quickly left her alone, not wanting to antagonize further. Another hour passed with Mac having begun a determined search of her office. "Dammit--dammit--dammit." A law reference book she needed, and which she was sure she had in her office was not, and now she vaguely recalled having Harriet return it. With another epithet she slammed the door and began to traverse the long corridor toward the back of the building and the law library. She managed about half the distance before the first sensation of someone watching her came over her. With quickness born of training, she turned and crouched, feeling foolish when there was no one there. "You're losing it Mackenzie," she sighed, nevertheless keeping a wary eye out as she approached the library. The feeling of being watched was stronger than ever once she reached the double doors and swiped her card to gain entry. The doors closed behind her and she walked to the shelf where she knew the book would rest, at the back of the large room. It came just as she was reaching for the volume. "Sarah?" A soft lilting voice. "Sarah thank you for coming here." "Who the hell are you?" she screeched. "Where are you? Show yourself damn you. Let me see you." At the same time she looked around frantically for something that could be used as a weapon. Pax River Same Time "Lt. come on," Harm said as he grabbed Brooke's arm. "We're leaving now." "Sir?" Brooke questioned. "We haven't finished our investigation." "We'll finish it later. We have to leave." "Sir, is something wrong?" Brooke asked as Harm led her back to the government car they'd drive up in. "I don't know" Harm admitted. "I just have this really bad feeling about Mac and I want to get back to JAG." "Have you tried calling her?" Brooke smiled. "No, I don't want her to think I've totally lost it" Harm sighed. "Please Brooke just go with me on this. We'll drive back tomorrow morning and finish this up." "Isn't the Admiral going to be upset?" "I'll handle him. You won't get in trouble for this. I'll take the heat." "You really care about her don't you sir?" Brooke asked as Harm started up the car. "Yes I do and since we're alone again drop the sir" Harm sighed. "And I know something is wrong. I can't explain it, I just know something is wrong." "You and Mac have that connection don't you?" Brooke said softly. "I guess that comes from working together so long." "We do have that connection. She was the one who found me the night I crashed you know. Picked the coordinates out of the blue." "No way" Brooke gasped. "You're kidding." "No. Ask her. She'll tell you." "Wow. You two really are connected. I knew that there was something between you two but I never realized it was that deep." "It is" Harm said quietly, at the same time sending a prayer heavenward that Mac would be okay. **************** JAG HQ's Law Library Mac looked around frantically; the only thing she could find to defend herself was a book. She reached for it, deciding it was better than nothing. "Sarah" the voice called again and Mac gripped the book tightly. Whoever this wacko was she wasn't going to go down without a fight. She walked slowly behind the stacks, looking for the source of the voice. "Mac" At the sound of another voice behind her she whirled around to see Ryan coming towards her. "No" she screamed as she flung the book at him. Caught off surprise, he couldn't move out of the way in time, the large book hitting him in the head. He fell to the floor stunned, as Mac pushed past him. She'd gotten but a few feet when another pair of arms reached out and grabbed her. "Finally Sarah" the voice whispered. "Finally we can be alone." Mac struggled against her captor, Ryan pushing himself to his feet to help her. He stumbled towards them, Mac's captor shoving her hard against one of the bookcases, her head colliding with the metal shelf. "Mac" Ryan shouted. Before he could prepare himself, Edward Krauss came at him with his nightstick, leveling a blow that sent Ryan to the floor. "Some Marine you are" Krauss laughed as he stepped over Ryan to where Mac lay. He stepped over Ryan to Mac, lifting her to his arms. "Now we can be alone" he smiled. "Just you and I Colonel." ************** "Huh, sir, how fast are you going?" Brooke asked as she leaned over to check the speedometer. "Sir" she gasped. "Brooke, what did I tell you about the sir" Harm sighed. "And don't worry. This isn't fast." "Compared to what sir, I mean Harm?" "Brooke, I fly tomcats" Harm reminded her. "I promise I'll get us there in one piece. I have to. Mac needs me." "You're sure of that aren't you?" Brooke asked. "Something isn't right," Harm said as he pushed the gas petal a little more. ********* JAG Law Library 45 minutes later Ryan groaned as he pushed his eyes open, looking around for Mac. The last thing he'd remembered was seeing her fall to the floor. He had no idea how long he'd been out and he grimaced as he moved his head. He tried to move, only to realize his hands had been tied behind him. "Dammit" he sighed as he worked the ropes that had been hastily tied. Somewhere Krauss had Mac and he had to find her. If anything happened to her, it would be on his head. And he didn't want to answer to Harm. It took him a few minutes but he managed to free himself from the ropes. With a deep breath he pushed himself to his feet, fighting the wave of dizziness as he did so. "Suck it up Marine" he said to himself. He needed to find Mac. Before Krauss really hurt her. His next thought was for help. He did not have his cell phone, and there were no phones in the research area of the library; and the ones at the front desk were very probably turned off for the night once the facility was shut down. "Nichols, you incredible screw up, think," he ordered himself. The man charged with their protection was in fact the enemy. There was a duty officer on the first floor and a sentry stationed at the gate. If he could get to a phone. . .the room around him spun once more and before he could act, there was blackness. ========== Krauss meanwhile had hauled Mac down a little used back stairs, half dragging and half carrying her. By the time they reached the bottom, some of her consciousness had returned, and with that enough of her Marine training and instinct to bring up some fight in her. With as loud a yell as she could muster, she slammed her elbow into his mid section. Weakened by the blow to her head, her action was only marginally effective and for her trouble she received a backhanded smack. "Colonel I had hoped you would be more reasonable," he hissed, producing a can of Mace from his belt and releasing it directly in her face. The burning spray took effect at once. Blinded and in pain, she collapsed to the floor and he roughly hauled her across the basement floor to an old store room. "You can rest in here Colonel while I get our transportation brought up outside. You and I have good times ahead, but not here at JAG." ============ Ryan managed once again to get to his feet and took a deep breath, willing himself to think despite the throbbing pain in his head. Mac and Krauss had been gone from him a good forty-five minutes while he had laid unconscious. Anything could have happened. With supreme effort, by holding to the book shelves he managed to reach the check-out desk. He was not wrong in his suspicion that the phones would be shut off for the night, all incoming calls would be transferred to the Duty desk. "Mac hang on," he breathed, deciding he would traverse the long corridor to find a working phone. Before he could make his way across the library to the sets of doors, movement outside the window caught his eye and with supreme effort he focused on it. A small van was backing up to the loading dock below him, and as he watched Krauss exited the vehicle and slipped into the door. Again forcing himself to think, he recalled from the layout of the building he had seen when he first arrived that there was a little- used basement level. "That's where he took her," he murmured, his gaze now resting on the emergency door at the back of the room that would lead to the stairs to the outside---and to the basement. "Hang on Mac. I'm coming." ============== "Sir---Harm, we're at the beltway. You need to slow down before you kill us both, or get a ticket or something," Brooke protested feebly. "This road is a death trap and you know it. Like that semi up ahead you're about to crawl up his six." With skills born of long hours in the air, Harm deftly swerved around it, only increasing his speed. "Harm what if we get there and she's sitting at her desk with her feet up drinking coffee." "Then I will never in my life be so glad to feel like a total fool," he answered grimly. "But that's not going to be the case. Christmas Eve she came for me because she could sense my dad bringing her. I couldn't explain it then and I can't now and I don't want to try, but it's there. And it's getting stronger. My belly is like ice right now." "Sir you don't. . .I mean Harm. . .you don't honestly think Ryan is behind any of this? That he would hurt her?" Harm allowed himself a small smile. "You and him are kind of getting to know each other aren't you?" "Yeah we are," she admitted. "I mean we've shared pizza a couple times, coffee-- that sort of thing. He's a good guy sir. If I'm wrong about him--well talk about someone feeling foolish." "I don't think you are," he replied, "but for the record, I warned him what would happen if he ever hurt Mac so if you. . ." He left his thought unfinished but she got the meaning right away. "I understand and I'm sticking with you." She made herself small in the seat, and sent a word skyward for both Mac and Ryan. They were upon the Falls Church exit quickly, and a minute later the dark shape of the JAG building loomed before them. "Should we tell someone?" she asked as they passed through the sentry gate. "No. Just in case I'm wrong, but also because I don't want to cause a commotion. I want to go in quick and quiet." ************ Forcing himself to keep moving, Ryan made his way down the stairs to the basement. He had to stop Krauss before he got Mac into the van. If he didn't, he knew it would be too late. He gently opened the door to the basement and quietly walked in. ***************** "Harm where's the night security guard?" Brooke asked as she and Harm entered the building. Harm froze at once. "I don't know but this is not good." He turned and started back towards his car, Brooke following him. Seconds later she saw the reason as he opened the glovebox and pulled out his service weapon. "Stay behind me" he ordered as they started back into the building. Slowly they made their way up the back stairs to the JAG offices. "Mac" Harm called softly as they walked through the bullpen. "Mac, you here?" "No sign of them sir" Brooke said quietly after checking Ryan's office. "They have to be around here somewhere," Harm said anxiously. "Both their cars are out front. Come on. Let's look in the library first." ******** Ryan watched as Krauss hauled Mac from the storeroom, towards the open van doors. If he was going to make his move, he would have to do it now. He crept closer; Krauss too involved to notice him coming up behind him. He reached for Krauss's gun, yanking it away and aiming it at him as he whirled around. "Let her go Krauss" Ryan yelled as he aimed the gun at him. "Now." "No way Major" Krauss yelled as his arm suddenly wrapped around Mac's neck and he dragged her towards the door. "What you going to do now? You wait too long, the Colonel dies. You miss you might hit her." Too stunned from the earlier Mace attack, Mac could do little to remove the arm that was cutting off her air. Her struggles were futile and she looked desperately at Ryan as the she the world began to darken around her. "I figured you wouldn't take the shot" Krauss started only to be cut off as Ryan's well place gunshot hit him square in the forehead. "Mac" Ryan yelled as he grabbed her as she started to fall. "Mac." ************ "Harm" Brooke said anxiously as she heard the gunshot. "No" Harm whispered as he tore out of the library and down the backstairs to the basement. The gunshot had come from below and he figured they had to be down there. "Mac" he screamed as he burst through the door to the basement. "Mac" "Over here sir" Ryan's weak voice called. Harm followed the voice, freezing as he saw Ryan, his arm around Mac as he gently rubbed her back. His eyes caught sight of the dead man on the ground and his eyes widened. "What the hell?" he gasped. "Harm" Mac whimpered as she looked up at him. "Shh, it's okay Sarah" Harm said as he quickly crossed the floor gathering her into his arms as she started to sob. "No one is going to hurt you now." "Ryan" Brooke screeched as she ran over to him. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, I'm okay," Ryan said with a weak smile. "You don't look okay" Brooke fretted as she caught sight of the dried blood on the side of his head. "That's one heck of a bump you've got." "Ryan what happened?" Harm asked as he continued to hold Mac tightly, her sobs starting to lessen. "Krauss was the stalker. He followed Mac into the library tonight. I was in there too. He knocked us both out and then he brought Mac down here so he could take her out of the building without anyone noticing." "He saved my life" Mac whispered as she finally pulled away from Harm. "Krauss was going to kill me." It was then that Harm noticed the red marks around Mac's neck. "Thank you Major" Harm said quietly. "I can never thank you enough for what you did." "I'm just glad I got there in time" Ryan replied. "I was afraid I was going to be too late." "No, you got here just in time" Mac said softly. "Ryan, I owe you a huge apology. I'm so sorry for how I've acted. I never gave you a chance and I'm sorry." "It's okay" Ryan assured her. "I'm just glad this is all over now. And hopefully we can be friends." "I'd like that" Mac said with a small smile. "Okay, enough talking, both of you need to get the hospital and get checked out" Harm ordered. "On your feet Marine" Brooke said as she helped Ryan up, keeping a firm arm around his waist. "You going to be okay?" "Just don't let go" Ryan murmured, leaning heavily on her. "Not a chance of that" Brooke assured him as she tightened her hold on him. "Would you deck me if I tried to carry you?" Harm asked as he looked at Mac. "Cause you're not looking to good there Marine." "I might" she smiled lightly. "But I won't object to a little help." "How about a lot of help" he said as he lifted her into his arms. "Harm this is not a good idea," she whispered. "Hey, if you're about to give the 'I'm a Marine' speech I'm totally not in the mood," he warned. "It's been a helluva night." "I'll second that," Brooke smiled, keeping her tight hold of a slightly swaying Ryan. "Mac we made it back from Pax River in under an hour." "What? Why? OK whoa, you guys didn't just happen to be here did you? How did you know something was wrong?" She looked over Harm's shoulder to Brooke and back to him. "Mac I don't. . ." he began and Brooke smiled and waved her free hand. "Mac he knew something was wrong. That you were in need of help." She opened her mouth to speak and smiled softly. "Thanks Partner." "I didn't do that much," he told her and gestured to Ryan. "Ryan I already thanked you for what you did. I need to apologize too. You know I thought it might have been you. Not all of me, but a small part of me did out of concern for Mac." "It's all in the past. But I will let you buy me a drink." "Done," Harm smiled and looked down at Mac, now resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed in exhaustion, tears from the mace still streaming. "Brooke I suggest we get these two looked at. And I don't even want to think of the paper work, not to mention that I have to explain to the Admiral I made us leave in the middle of an investigation." "So what does happen now?" she asked, looking from Ryan to Harm and back. "I'm recommending to the Admiral that the two of you be officially declared partners," Harm smiled. "We need some new blood here at JAG." The End.