TITLE: "New Beginnings VIII—Panamanian Warfare" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: The eighth chapter of the New Beginnings series, in which Harm and Mac make tentative steps toward making 2002 ‘our year’ as they promised. In this chapter, Brooke and Harm are paired on a difficult case. 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 The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users—no subbing required. Also, previous chapters, as well as our other efforts, should be available at http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html [Not consistently up and running sadly] Previously in NB: A simple case of goat run amuck at the Naval Academy was easily handled. Maj. Ryan Nichols and Lt. Brooke Hastings continue to grow closer, while the bond between Harm and Mac deepens. ++++++++++++ "New Beginnings VIII—Panamanian Warfare” JAG HQ's Monday, April 9th "Okay, where are those two?" Harm asked as he looked toward the elevator again. "Gee Dad, they're not late yet" Mac grinned. "I'm sure they're fine." "Well they could have called us and told us they got back okay" Harm fretted. "I'm sure they had other things on their mind, Commander." "They're getting pretty serious aren't they?" Harm asked and Mac nodded. "Yes they are. And I think it was nice that they went away together for the weekend." "Maybe we could do that one of these weekends?" Harm smiled. "Just you and me in some little cabin up in the mountains. Sound like something you might like to do Marine." "Cabin. As in roughing it?" "Uh, not that kind of roughing it Marine. Something with a little more comforts of home was what I was thinking of." "Of course. Forget you squids can't handle roughing it." "Wait a minute. I didn't say that. You want to rough it we can do that. Tent and sleeping bags. Fine. We can do that." "Now your talking" Mac smiled. "You pick a weekend and we'll do it." "Sounds like a plan" he said as the elevator doors opened and Brooke and Ryan stepped off, smiling and laughing. "I'd say they had a good weekend" Mac whispered and Harm nodded. "We'll grill them after the Admiral's morning meeting" Harm grinned as AJ stepped out of his office. "Conference room people" AJ called and moments later they were all assembled around the large table. "Okay, Rabb and Mackenzie you'll be heading to Panama City this afternoon. There was an incident concerning one of the Marines in the Embassy attachment. He was arrested at a local nightclub for possession of drugs during a raid on the club. You two will be representing him." "Aye sir" Harm said as he took the file. "So how was your weekend?" Mac asked Brooke as they walked back to their offices. "Pretty good" Brooke smiled. "Okay, really good." "So where did you two go?" Harm asked. "Since Ryan wouldn't tell us the big secret." "We flew to San Diego for the weekend and stayed in Coronado" Brooke smiled. "Coronado?" Harm grinned. "Pretty nice Major." "He knew I was missing the ocean again," Brooke said softly as she looked over at Ryan. "And the place was so great. Just walk out to the beach from our room." "Our room?" Mac inquired with a smile. "Uh, it had two bedrooms" Ryan said quickly as he and Brooke both turned red. "I'm sure it did" Harm grinned. "Well I for one want to hear all about it" Mac smiled. "You two have time for lunch before we have to leave for Panama?" TGIFriday's 12:30 PM EST "That sounds wonderful" Mac said between bites of her french fries. "And I can't believe he pulled it off without you having a clue. That is so romantic." "Yeah that made it even better" Brooke smiled as she looked over at Ryan. "You're making me look bad Major" Harm sighed. "Sorry Harm" Ryan smiled. "You taking notes over there Rabb? Mac teased. "Like I need to take notes. I know how to be romantic. You just wait and see. When you least expect it." "I'll be waiting" Mac smiled. "Hey, you two get to go to Panama" Brooke reminded her. "That's not so bad." "True. Hopefully I can keep the Commander out of trouble again this time." "Oh you're not going to bring that one up again" Harm groaned. "Did I ever tell you two how I saved his six the last time we were in Panama?" Mac grinned. "How the drug dealer was about to shoot him and I killed the drug dealer." "That is not what happened" Harm retorted. "More like I saved your six from the drug dealer." "You two are so cute when you fight" Brooke laughed. "Well we'd fight less if his memory was better," Mac growled. "Of course his memory is pretty occupied with Mrs. Dunston. She tried to seduce him. If I hadn't been tailing them and he knew that, well god knows what would have happened next." "I was undercover and she succumbed to my charms," he said staunchly. "The one thing I couldn't do is save her life." "I'm sorry," Brooke said automatically. "Did this happen while the Colonel was saving your life?" "Yeah it did," Harm nodded soberly, remembering Mac's face at the time of the woman's death, wishing he had done something more then to comfort her and his hand squeezed hers. "What time is your flight?" Ryan spoke up, changing the subject. "1630," Mac smiled. "Was that an offer to take us out to Dulles?" ================ FLIGHT 633 Enroute to Panama City "Hey sailor what's on your mind?" Mac asked softly after an hour of silence and the back of Harm's head for company. "Something you want to share? 'Cause it's getting pretty lonely alone in his seat." "I guess I kind of zoned out on you," he admitted sheepishly, turning back and slipping his arm around her. "I was kind of lost in thought about things being different the last time we were down here." "Over two years--long time--a lot has happened since then," she replied lightly. "Not all of it things I'm proud of." "You too?" he smiled. "No a lot of mistakes were made, starting with six months before that when I decided my life at JAG wasn't enough. I do not believe I could have been that big an idiot." "Oh I do," she teased and kissed his cheek. "And it pales in comparison with me wearing the ring of a man I wasn't in love with." "If I hadn't left, you never would have even been tempted by the ring," he reminded her. "But we're doing that thing about going over the past again. I really only want to look ahead. I want to get through this case and then I have something to prove to you." "I'm sorry?" "That I can be romantic," he told her smugly. "I'm not letting that Marine major make me look bad and get away with it." "I'm pretty much happy with you the way you are," she assured him, "but it never hurts to show a girl how you feel." "Long as the girl feels the same way," he replied, studying her face intently. "No worries there." Unconsciously using one of Mic's expressions, she pressed a light palm to his cheek. "We've come a long ways just since Christmas haven't we." "Amazing what a night in the cold and a concussion can do," he grinned, "and a little help from a very special man who managed to show me where my future lies." "I can't believe you saw me with Mic and pregnant," she giggled, her hand instinctively resting on her belly. "Well with Mic, no--that's a nightmare personified," he grinned again. "But a baby. Yeah. I can see that." "You volunteering there Mister?" Her eyes were laughing but her tone was serious. "Oh yeah, with the time is right," he responded, his tone just as serious. "Suddenly I'm finding myself pretty greedy I'll admit. I want it all. Is that wrong?" "No not at all," she nodded, "long as it happens in its own good time. I want it too. Never think I don't." They relaxed against each other for the remainder of the flight, and it was a tired pair of officers who arrived at the Ambassador's residence three hours later. "Welcome. I am Elena Pena," the motherly woman greeted them. "We have adjoining rooms ready and madam I am sure you would love a shower." "Wow, a mind reader," Mac smiled. "Thank you." She smiled back and showed them to their rooms before hurrying off. "Shower and then we find some dinner?" Harm asked and Mac nodded. "Should we go check on our client?" "Too late" Harm said as he checked his watch. "I'm sure they won't let us in to see him now. We'll go first thing in the morning." "Sounds good. Half hour sailor?" A half-hour later he knocked at her door, letting out a low whistle at the site of her in the short cotton dress and sandals. "Wow. You look hot Colonel. I'm not so sure I want to go to dinner anymore." "Red light Commander" Mac smiled. "But thanks. You really think I look okay? Brooke picked it out on one of our shopping adventures. I told her I thought I was too old for this look." "No way" Harm grinned as his eyes traveled up her legs. "Enough gawking Flyboy, I'm starving. Let's go see what they have good to eat in this town." They secured a car and after receiving directions to a nice restaurant from Elena headed out. Harm kept his arm protectively around Mac as they walked into the restaurant, noting at once the men staring at her. "Okay maybe that wasn't such a good idea for this area" Harm whispered, as they were lead to their table. "I don't like all these guys looking at you." "I'm not worried" she smiled. "You know I could put all of them on the floor before they could make a move. Besides, I've got my big sailor to protect me." "Cute Marine" Harm groaned. "Relax Harm. They're just staring As soon as some other senorita comes in they'll be staring at her." "Can't happen soon enough" he complained and she smiled at his obvious protectiveness. "Well there's a few senorita's at the bar staring at you. Should I be worried?" Harm turned around and two young women at the bar smiled back at him "You have no reason to be worried. Trust me. I've found the woman I want to be with." "You have? Do I know her?" Mac teased. "Yeah you do," he said softly as he reached for her hand. "She's smart, beautiful and the best damn Marine I know." "You're really serious about that romantic thing aren't you?" she smiled. "No, just telling you how I feel. You do mean a lot to me Sarah Mackenzie. More than you know." "Well you mean a lot to me too Mr. Rabb" she said as she squeezed his hand. Dinner passed without incident and they headed back to the Embassy, Mac doing her best to stifle a long yawn. "Good night Mac" Harm said softly as he stood outside her door. "Good night Harm" He stood there for a moment before temptation got the best of him and he lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. "Now it's a good night" he smiled before heading to his door. ***************** Corporal Wayne Rollins was sitting sullenly in his cell at the jail when Harm and Mac were brought back by the guard. "Corporal, I'm Commander Harmon Rabb and this is my partner Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. We'll be defending you." The young man looked up at them with a small smirk. "Good luck sir." "Why don't we get started by you telling us what happened that night?" Mac said as she pulled out her legal pad. "I was at the nightclub when it was raided. End of story." "You want to be a bit more specific Corporal?" Harm sighed. "We'll need a little more than that to go on. Did you actually have drugs in your possession?" "What does it matter? You know how the courts down here work. Thanks for showing up but I know what's going to happen and I'll live with it." "Would you rather we didn't defend you Corporal?" Mac asked. "Do whatever you want. I'm just being realistic." "Well if we decide to defend you we'll need a little more help from you" Mac replied. "Where you with anyone else that night?" "No I went there alone." "You went to a night club alone?" Harm asked. "No friends or anyone else with you." "No." An hour later they called for the guard and headed back to the Embassy. "Is it my imagination or is our client acting rather strange" Mac sighed. "Very strange. Maybe he's got a death wish and wants to spend the next twenty years in jail down here. All I know is it isn't going to be easy to defend him." "No it's not" Mac agreed. "But we can do a little work of our own. I say we go visit this nightclub and see if anyone remembers our client." "I don't know if I like that" Harm frowned. "Harm, if we don’t do something this kid is going to end up in jail. And maybe he's just putting on the tough act cause he's a Marine. But I really don't think he wants to spend the next twenty years here." "All right. But you do not leave my side" Harm said firmly. "For anything." "You know last time we were here you left me sitting in the car" Mac teased. "You didn't seem to worry about me while you were making the moves on Mrs. Dunston." "That was last time. This time you are sticking with me." "Yes sir" she said with a mock salute. "You know I really hated the fact you outranked me then," he admitted suddenly. "I think that's why I ditched you that night." "I knew that. And I did rub it in your face a bit. Like I did a lot of things when you came back from the Henry." "Well I was no Mr. Congeniality anyway. And I had no right to be upset about your promotion. If anyone deserved it, it was certainly you. After all I jumped ship. I gave up the best things I ever had in my life, you and JAG, to chase a dream I was ten years out of my time for. Where was my head--don't answer that." "Still I was horrible to you a lot of the time you were back," she sighed. "Your leaving tore me up inside you know. You were the one constant thing in my life and I couldn't accept that you would just up and walk out." "It didn't take you real long to find someone to replace me," he chided her gently. "And that's goes into your category of 'where was my head'," she smiled. "And even now, I don't hate him. I wish he would have told me that he knew I didn't love him and that wasn't acceptable to him, but he didn't care. On some level I feel like he had to know that." "I think there was a little of Renee in him," he said thoughtfully. "Sometimes the urge to hang on supersedes all else." She nodded, and leaned against him as they walked, pressing her arm to his. For the remainder of the afternoon they split up and questioned the rest of the Marine detachment charged with guarding the embassy. "Oh good there you are," Harm called sharply when he spotted her on the grounds at dusk. "Where did you think I'd be," she smiled and when she noted the concern etched on his face, sobered at once. "Harm?" "Mac I don't know. This whole thing feels wrong. Starting with our meeting with Rollins and then when I talked to some of his buddies I was getting things like loner, strange guy, introvert, anti social--things like that. This does not sound like the kind of kid who would do drugs, or even distribute drugs. Sounds more like a fall guy to me." "Well his superiors aren't that taken with him," she sighed. "Marginal Marine, does a half-ass job half the time, unprepared for duty, borders on disrespect." She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe we'll get more at the place he was arrested tonight. I'm starting to get hungry. Let's go shower and dress." "Is that an offer of a joint shower?" "Someday Flyboy," she smiled and stroked his cheek quickly before hurrying away. "Someday is right," he muttered, following her back across the courtyard to the residence. ============== "OK I'm ready," Mac announced from the door to his room an hour later. "Like hell," he yelped, seeing the short tight black skirt and the low scoop neck red blouse. "Go back and try it again. No way. No way in hell." "What are you--my dad," she laughed. "Look we want people to talk to us and it's going to be hard enough with the language and. . .OK me? What about you?" When he stood up to approach her, she took in his tight black jeans and the dark green knit shirt that totally clung to his chest, outlining its plains. "I don't like you advertising yourself," he muttered. "But I see your point. You're just not going anywhere out of my sight remember." "Isn't this the discussion we had last night," she chided him. "Yeah but we weren't official last night," he growled. "OK let's go." ========== La Coppa Cabana 1 Hour later "Wayne sure I knew him. Every night he was in here." The pretty American woman was leaning over Harm, who was endeavoring to keep his eyes upward. "Word was he had cash and coke, but if so I never saw it. I've got better sense than that." "Rollins was a fool. Hi Calli." "Hi yourself. John this is Harm and Mac. They're Wayne's lawyers. Guys this is Gunnery Sergeant John Cunningham with the Marine detachment." "It's Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie," Harm said quietly. "Yes sir," John nodded, almost coming to attention. "But I say again, Rollins was a fool to get involved in that stuff. And frankly I think he was set up to take a fall." "Any idea who set him up?" Harm asked. "No. Around here it could be just about anyone wanting to set up an American. He was playing a dangerous game with these guys down here and it blew up in his face." They spent the rest of the night at the nightclub; talking to several others but gaining no real information that would help them clear Corporal Rollins. "You had enough of this?" Harm sighed as he checked his watch and with a groan realized it was already 1:00 AM. "More than enough" Mac groaned. "I'll need another shower after this." Harm nodded and held his hand out to her as they stood up. They were walking towards the main entrance when Mac spotted a group of men talking in a corner near the back exit. "Harm, isn't that our client?" she gasped as she finally got a good look at the men, one of which appeared to be Corporal Rollins. "Sure as hell looks like it. What is he doing here?" "I think you were right in your assessment that something wasn't right with this whole thing," Mac said quietly. "I say we go find out what our client is up to. And how the hell he got out jail." "I think he's leaving" Mac said as Corporal Rollins started out the back door with two of the men. "Come on, we'll follow him" Harm said as he grabbed her arm. They hurried outside to their car and moments later watched as Corporal Rollins climbed into the back seat of a large black sedan. "Okay, I'm getting a really bad feeling about this" Harm sighed. "And I'm not sure I want you involved in this." "Wait one second mister. We're partners and we handle this together. Remember." "That was before it looked like our client was involved with the drug dealers. Mac the only way he got out of jail was someone let him out. And that only happens if someone pays off the local authorities." "So he's guilty and he knew his buddies were going to bail him out. That's why he wasn't talking to us." "Bingo" Harm sighed. "Well he is still our client" Mac reminded him. "And we should follow him and find out what's going on." "I was afraid you were going to say that" Harm said as the black sedan pulled away. With a long sigh he pulled behind it, staying far enough away so they didn't draw attention to themselves. They followed the car out of the city limits and into the rural area to the south. They stopped way back as the car pulled into a gated driveway where two armed men stood. "So what do we do now?" Mac asked. "Let's wait. I'm not about to go barging in there. In case you didn't notice the guys at the gate are heavily armed and we're not. We'll wait for Rollins to come out again. When he does, then we'll grab out client and have a little chat with him." "Okay you take first watch while I sleep" Mac said with a long yawn. "Past your bedtime sleeping beauty?" Harm teased. "Well it is almost 2:00 AM. Even I go to sleep by now. And you could offer your shoulder as a pillow" Mac smiled. "Come on, get over here" he said and she scooted across the seat closer to him. "Much better" she sighed. "Harm, what do you really think is going on here?" "I have no idea. But when Corporal Rollins comes back out, he's going to have a lot of explaining to do." ******************** JAG HQ's 07:00 AM EST "Sir, we're here" Ryan called as he and Brooke stepped off the elevator. "What's going on?" "Nothing at the moment. I'm waiting for a call from Clayton Webb. You two probably aren't familiar with Mr. Webb but you might be real soon. Mr. Webb works for the CIA and occasionally his business gets mixed up with ours. He left me a cryptic message at home about the case Harm and Mac are handling in Panama and said he'd call back again when he could." "Sir, I've got Mr. Webb on the line" Tiner interrupted. Brooke and Ryan followed AJ into his office and AJ pressed the button for the speaker. "All right Webb, what's going on?" AJ demanded. "Corporal Wayne Rollins. Harm and Mac are defending him right?" "Yes. What's the problem Webb?" "I don't know it's a problem yet" Webb sighed. "Rollins was one of ours. Key word was. There's a good chance he's crossed over to the other side." "And" AJ prodded. "And if Harm and Mac find out that's the case they could be in trouble. Rollins may be working for Carlos Perez, one of the largest drug dealers in South America." "What are you talking about?" AJ demanded suspiciously, frowning at the mention of Perez, knowing him by reputation, that of being a part of main drug cartel operating out of Columbia. "You're telling me they stumbled into one of your ops Webb?" "Yeah. Nothing was happening here and I got called away to take care of another emergency. Now I'm back in Panama and finding that handcart is operating at full throttle down here. I'm hoping Rollins will simply be apprehended and brought back. If he's gone over, I'm going to personally strangle the SOB. If not, then I'll try to put back together what's taken months to bring about." AJ made a disgusted noise into the phone. "Webb you could screw up a wet. . ." A glance a Brooke made him pause and he added, "Let me hear from you soonest." He broke the connection and gave a long sigh. "If things have gone to hell down there I'm going to want you two to get down there and see to Rabb and Mackenzie. I know Webb wouldn't intentionally cause them to get hurt, but at the same time he's a company man. He considers himself expendable. I'm just afraid he might our people as well." That last comment brought Ryan to full attention. "Sir, request that I go alone or that Lieutenant Hastings be replaced." If AJ was surprised, Brooke was in shock. "Excuse me?" she sputtered, her face turning red as she fixed her gaze on Ryan. "Sir I didn't hear you just ask that I be relieved did I?" The fact that she turned formal with Ryan was full indication of the indignation she felt. "Major is there some reason that you don't feel the Lieutenant could do a credible job here? If so then I would like to hear it." Brooke leveled a deadly glare at him, to accompany AJ's stare and Ryan squirmed uncomfortably. "No sir, I don't question her ability at all." "So that only leaves that you're afraid for her safety. Am I correct?" "Bingo," he answered without a second's hesitation. "Uh. . .sir." "And does the Major think I'll be any better off remaining back here worrying about him?" Brooke demanded. "Sir please, request that you don't listen to this garbage. I can easily take care of myself. Harm and Mac are my friends, Ryan is my partner. I should go. I belong on the mission." "We don't even know there is a mission yet," AJ pointed out kindly, "however, you are correct Lieutenant." He turned to Ryan, his expression daring him to object. "Understood sir," Ryan mumbled. "Then both of you get to work until I hear from Webb again," AJ ordered. As soon as they were out of earshot of AJ, Brooke grabbed Ryan's arm. "What the hell is the matter with you," she seethed, attempting to keep her voice down. "I belong with you. We are partners--we are friends, and maybe more. How dare you try to exclude me." Without a word, he guided her into his office. "Look you know I consider you to be every bit the capable officer I am," he said, endeavoring to keep his voice calm. "But I'm not going to apologize for worrying about you--for caring about you and yes for being afraid for you. My God Brooke, South American drug dealers? These people have tortured and killed DEA agents, Marines helping with the drug interdiction, and god knows who else. The fact that you're a woman wouldn't stop them. They'd probably just have a little fun with you first." She caught his meaning at once and drew her breath in sharply. "I'm going. Unless the Admiral orders me to stand down, I'm going. And in the future, I'll thank you to kindly not try to protect me. Major it's hard enough for a woman sometimes. We don't need our superior officers trying to discourage assignments to us. We're not in the steno pool any longer. I'm a JAG just like you are. I'll take the same risks you do. And if Harm and Mac are in trouble, I mean to be there. This conversation is over." The slam of Ryan's door was heard throughout the floor, including by AJ who was standing at Tiner's desk. "Harm and Mac junior," the young petty officer commented before he could stop himself. "Sir excuse me. I think I hear a phone I should answer." "You better move it boy," AJ warned, shaking his head. "Time to retire." ================ A long three hours later, Rollins finally emerged and a moment later the black sedan pulled out through the gates heading back for town. "He's still got his escort with him," Mac pointed out. "I know, that's why I didn't try to pull in front of him. We'll just hang back here and see where he goes." Just as the sun was beginning to paint the sky its morning colors Rollins's car pulled up to an old farmhouse. He jumped out and looked around before nodding to the driver. Finally he slipped inside, leaving Harm and Mac staring at each other in bewilderment. "Let's go see how alone the Corporal actually is," she suggested and Harm nodded. They left their car out of sight and began walking up the driveway, Harm insisting on keeping her behind him. There was no sign of life anywhere around the old house and Harm motioned with his hand for her to stay put while he crept to the nearest window. Clearing a spot in the filth he looked inside. "He's there all right," he whispered. "Flopped on a sofa. No sign of anyone else. I think we can risk having a word with him." Cautiously they made their way to the front door and moments later stood in front of the shocked Corporal. "Sir, ma'am" he stammered. "On your feet Corporal and start talking" Harm ordered. "What the hell is going on here?" "Uh, I can explain" Rollins said quickly. "Honest. It's not what you think." "Well start explaining cause it sure looks like what we're thinking" Mac retorted. "I know it does. And that's what it's supposed to look like ma'am." "You're not a Marine Corporal are you?" Harm said as he eyed the young man again. "No sir. Wayne Rollins, CIA. I work for Mr. Webb. You know him right?" "I should have known" Harm groaned. "Why the hell didn't someone tell us that you were undercover? You're lucky we didn't blow your cover last night." "I'm glad you didn’t. They would have killed us all on the spot." "So this little arrest and escape was all planned?" Mac questioned. "Yes. So I could get into Carlos Perez's organization. Mr. Webb set it all up." "And as usual didn't bother to tell the people who were sent here to defend you" Harm sighed. "So what are we supposed to do in the meantime? You are our client." "I have a meeting with Mr. Webb this afternoon" Rollins continued. "He's flying into an old airstrip to meet me. Somewhere that Perez won't see us. Why don't you come with me and we'll figure out how you're going to handle this." "What about your friends?" Mac asked. "Aren't they coming back?" "Not for a while. This is their hiding place. They won't be back until things have cleared again and I can come out of hiding." "All right. We'll head back to the Embassy so no one thinks we're on to you" Harm sighed. "And grab a few hours sleep and then come back here and take you out to the airstrip to meet Webb. And then strangle him for not telling us about this." "Sorry sir. I'm just glad you didn't make a move last night. Like I said we all would have been killed." Rollins' words were still running through Harm's head as he drove back to the Embassy. This case was getting out of hand and he didn’t like Mac being involved in something like this. "You still awake over there Flyboy?" Mac teased. "You've been awfully quiet since we left Rollins." "Yeah just got some things on my mind" Harm sighed. "If it's how to ditch me and do this on your own you best stop that line of thinking right now cause it isn't going to happen. We're going to handle this together so we can both wring Webb's little neck." "I still can't believe he didn't get word to us somehow" Harm complained. "Maybe he got tied up somewhere else. Who knows, it's Webb. Wouldn't be the first time he's forgotten to tell us something." "Yeah I know but I still don't like this. Rollins is in deep with these cutthroats and I'd rather not have you anymore involved than you already are." "Might I remind you Mr. Rabb that I am a Marine quite capable of handling myself" she retorted. "And if I hear one more comment about you not wanting me involved I'm going to drop kick your six to remind you that I can handle myself." "Mac" Harm started. "I'm serious Harm. Drop it or else." "The only reason I even mentioned it is because I happen to care about you and I'd rather not see you around people like Perez's men." "But the same doesn't hold true for you?" she demanded. "Just because I'm a woman I'm automatically more fragile?" "Yes" he said without thinking and she gave him long stare. "I will remind you sailor boy that I could probably out-survive you any day of the week if the situation arose. I've had a lot more survival training than you and I would not consider myself fragile." "Okay, let's just drop this" Harm sighed. "I don't want to fight with you. I just don’t want anything to happen to you." "And I don't want anything to happen to you. So we're even. We have a job to do Commander, let's do it." "This is why partners don't get involved" Harm muttered under his breath. "You say something sailor?" "Nothing" he sighed. "I'm tired and cranky and irritable and I hate surprises like this." "Cheer up. In a few hours we'll see Webb and you can take it out on him." "Oh trust me I will." "Harm it's going to be OK really," she soothed. "Good thing you don't get this nervous when you fly." "When I fly I'm not risking your life," he growled again. "Look I'm sorry. I'm in a mood. I need some sleep and this whole thing is not sitting well with me. Just ignore me, or put your foot up my six or something." "How about I take you upstairs and put you to bed," she smiled as she parked the car. "A couple hours sleep and this will look better." "OK yeah," he agreed, taking her hand as they walked up the flight of stairs to his room. "Why don't you go slip out of that get up and come back and lay here with me. I know that sounds whiny but I don't want to be away from you right now." "You really are spooked aren't you Sailor," she smiled. "We've been in tight spots before. This one will work out. But as far as lying down with you, I'd love to." She stroked his cheek and kissed there where her fingers had touched. A short while later she was comfortably scrunched up to him, his chest to her back and both were asleep almost at once, drawing comfort from each other. =============== JAG HQ Same Time "Are we OK?" Brooke looked up from her desk, surprised to see Ryan in her doorway. His puppy dog look played at her heartstrings and yet she was not sure she was ready to forget what happened, especially since he was not of an inclination to back down from his stance. "Of course we're OK," she answered warily, "but I meant everything I said about being treated as an equal to you---and to Harm and Mac. I may be the youngest and light on rank, but don't sell me short Major." "No I don't want to," he answered just as warily after a moment's thought. "But as I said before, I refuse to apologize for caring about you. Which I do. A lot." "As I do for you," she nodded. "And that plays a large part. I need to be with you. I need to know you're OK. I need to be the one watching your six, not sitting back here waiting for the phone to ring with news that you've been killed." Her last words tumbled out with a short sob and she turned her face from him, reaching for a tissue in her embarrassment. "I'm sorry," he said automatically, and slipped inside her office, shutting the door firmly. "I'm sorry," he repeated, kneeling at her desk. "I'm sorry you're upset. And I’m sorry I'm being an ass about this." He sat down in the deskside chair and took her hand, pulling it onto his lap to cradle, as much as he dared do at JAG HQ. =============== PANAMA CITY Ambassador's Guest Quarters "Harm it's time." Mac sat up slowly, only to find herself entrapped by his grasp. "Harm." "No," he murmured in his sleep filled state. "You're staying here." "The hell I am," she retorted, giving his midriff a not too gentle elbow. "Move that sorry six Sailor. We've got work to do." "I'll give you five thousand dollars to stay here," he murmured again. "This from the person who needs five dollars to make it to payday," she groaned, pulling away from him. "Come on Rabb. Time's wasting." It was a reluctant Harmon Rabb that made the drive back out to the farmhouse. True to his word Rollins was waiting for them, watching nervously from the window. "You set?" Harm asked him when he opened the door, Mac having stayed by the car to keep an eye out. "Uh yeah," he answered, shuffling his feet. "Rollins, before we go to the car, I want you to know something," Harm said, his voice low with deadly seriousness. "You see my partner out there? She means everything to me. Everything. And if something happens to her because of some shit you've pulled or caused, I swear to you the last thing you'll know in this life will be my hands wrapped around your throat. Are we clear?" "Yeah take it easy man," Rollins said quickly. "We're just going to meet Webb." "He'd better be the only person we're meeting" Harm muttered as they headed back to the car. "Everything okay?" Mac asked as Rollins climbed into the car. "Just peachy" Harm sighed. With Rollins directing them, they headed further away from the city, finally coming upon a small airstrip tucked between the mountains. "Why the hell did we have to come all the way out here to meet Webb?" Harm demanded. "You want Perez's men to see us?" Rollins countered. "We had to make sure we were somewhere safe." "Harm will you chill" Mac urged. "You are so tense you're about to have a stroke. Everything is going to be fine." Harm didn't say anything as he drove the car towards the small Lear jet that was parked on the airstrip. The little voice in the back of his head was telling him something wasn't right about this whole setup and he was regretting letting Mac come with him. "Where's Webb?" Harm demanded as he turned off the car. "Probably inside the plane. You know Webb can't stand to sweat in those Armani suits. Come on." He opened the door and climbed out and Mac reached for her door handle. She'd gotten half way out when Harm grabbed her arm. "Mac wait. Something isn't right here. I'm getting a real bad feeling about this." As he spoke, the door to the plane suddenly opened and at once Harm realized they'd been set up as two men with automatic weapons stepped off the plane. "You were saying" Mac said quietly as Rollins walked up to the men, smiling as he pointed to the car. "Move it" Rollins ordered as he came back to the car with the two men, their weapons trained on both Harm and Mac. "You must not have paid attention during our little talk" Harm said coldly as he and Mac were pulled out of the car. "What you going to do about it Commander?" Rollins laughed. "I do believe I have the upper hand here." For emphasis he gave Mac a hard shove and at once Harm whirled around. "Do that again and you're going to be sorry" Harm warned. "Harm don't" Mac pleaded as one of the men poked Harm with the back of his weapon. "Please." "Come on" Rollins ordered. "We've got a plane to catch." "What are you planning on doing with us anyway?" Harm asked as they slowly walked to the plane. A gunshot cut off Rollins reply and at once Harm tried to reach Mac, not sure where the gunshots were coming from. "Damn it's Webb" Rollins yelled as the van came tearing towards them. The other men turned and began to fire back at the van and Harm grabbed Mac's arm and they started to run for the cover of the woods that bordered the airstrip. "Get them" Rollins ordered and Harm felt the first bullet whiz past him. He reached for Mac's hand, pulling her as he ran. Seconds later he heard Mac cry out and felt her grip falter as she fell to the ground. "Mac" he cried as he stopped, turning back to her. "Go" she screamed. "Like hell" he said as he helped her to her feet, only to have her fall into his arms again as her leg gave out. "Harm go" "No. There's no way I'm leaving you." "Freeze Commander and I may let her live" Rollins called and Harm looked over to see his weapon pointed at Mac. "And I won't miss either. I'm an excellent shot." "Don't hurt her" Harm pleaded. "Mr. Webb, call off your men" Rollins shouted. "Or they will both die now." Inside the van, Webb let out a long curse. He had no doubt that Rollins would kill Harm and Mac in an instant. "Back off" he ordered his men. "Now." "You are a smart man Webb" Rollins laughed. "Commander, you are slowly going to head back to the plane with the Colonel. Thanks to Mr. Webb I need a new pilot." "I'm not flying you anywhere" Harm retorted. "Oh yes you will" Rollins said as grabbed Mac's arm, yanking her to her feet. She let out a small cry of pain as she stood on her injured leg and at once Harm pulled her away from Rollins, wrapping his arm around her waist to support her. "It's your choice Commander. You fly or she dies." "I'll fly you and your damn plane but so help me god if you touch her again, I'm going to kill you" Harm threatened. "Leave her go. Let me leave her here so she can get medical help," Harm begged when they were nearly to the plane, feeling her leaning more and more on him. "Harm no, I won't," she shrieked, clinging more tightly to him. "Commander you must think I'm stupid," Rollins scoffed. "Right now she's the only leverage I've got with you. She stays behind here and you have no reason to do what you're told. Now get his bird cranked up and us out of here. And if you make any move on me, I promise you I'll put a bullet between her eyes before I deal with you." He motioned them toward the plane and Harm gave him a slight nod, agreeing for the moment to his terms. Mac moaned slightly as he helped her up the steps and Harm looked down at the trickle of blood from her leg and the pain on her face, then turned back to Rollins. "Back at the farmhouse, I made you a promise. It still goes." ============ "Mr. Webb we're not just gonna hang back here and do nothing are we?" one of Webb's agents groaned. "It's just one guy. We can take him out." "I'm not risking Rabb and Mackenzie any further," Clay said firmly. "No, we need to regroup here. He's trying to get to Perez, and we know the general area where that SOB is holed up. We'll work from there." "Then you're sentencing them to be hostages," the agent sighed. "And you know there's not going to be any negotiation." "Oh I don't plan to negotiate with anything but this." Clay lifted the gun in his hand. "I'm just going to do it from a position of strength, with some help. Dawson I want you to take these guys and get a good line on Perez and see if you can pick up any of those guys that helped Rollins pull this off while you're at it." "And you?" Clay gave a ragged sigh. "I need to make a phone call." ================= JAG HQ "Major since when is your office in here?" "Sir." Both Ryan and Brooke leaped to their feet. AJ motioned them down. "So are you visiting or moving in Major?" "We're working on the problem aboard the USS Liberty Bell sir," Brooke smiled. "And trying not to worry about Harm and. . .Commander Rabb and Major Nichols. Any news?" Her hand trembled slightly as she asked and Ryan quickly covered it with his without regard to AJ's presence. "I'm afraid Mr. Webb is attempting to get a call through now," AJ sighed. "And I'm afraid it's not going to be good news. Why don't you come in and we'll wait together. He was going to try for a better connection Tiner said." "You're afraid it's bad news aren't you Sir?" Brooke asked in a small voice, starting to rise and finding Ryan's hand under her elbow to help her. AJ looked at her grimly. "I could hear it in Webb's voice yeah. And I know Webb and I know Rabb and Mackenzie--that they would not back off something they stumbled upon." He led the way back to his office, purposefully not looking at Ryan and Brooke. "They'll be OK," Ryan whispered as they walked. "Maybe this Webb is panicked over nothing." "Sir, good there you are," Tiner called. "Mr. Webb is on a clearer line now. He sounds upset." "Mr. Webb is always upset," AJ sighed, walking to his desk and picking up the phone as he motioned Ryan and Brooke to join him. "OK Webb, let's have it. Short version, no exaggeration." "Admiral, Rollins is bad." Webb's voice came back over the speaker phone. "He set up a meet with Harm and Mac and before I could get there, it all went to hell." "Webb, where are my people now?" AJ asked with deceptive calmness and Brooke drew a sharp breath, closing her eyes against the possible news of their friends' deaths. "Rollins made Harm fly him out of there. Took Mac too," he answered reluctantly. "I know he's taking them to Perez. I'm working on getting a line on where that might be. There's several spots he could be using as his staging area. I wanted to let you know. Soon as I know where they are I'm going to try to get in there, but I'm spread pretty thin here. I've got my man in charge locally and a few of his men and that's all. If you want to send me a little help. . ." "I'd like to volunteer immediately." Ryan spoke up, confirming their conversation of earlier. "And sir, I'd also like to again request that Lieutenant Hastings stand down." AJ glared at him and turned back to the phone. "Webb I'll call you back soon as I have firm arrangements in place." With that he broke the connection and looked to Ryan first, holding up his hand to quiet Brooke's expected outburst. "Major, that's a matter we're not going to re-visit. I understand your concern for your partner. It's my judgment that she is quite the capable officer and there is no reason to avoid sending her along with you. You both will go. I'm going to have Tiner see if there's not a transport out of Andrews that will get you there sooner than a commercial flight. You'll link up with Mr. Webb and follow his guidance as to getting Mackenzie and Rabb back. That's all. Dismissed." Brooke shot Ryan a deadly glare as she exited, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. "Son, you are either going to have to live with the risks to her or other arrangements are going to have to be made," AJ said softly. "I know you care for her but. . ." "You damn right I care for her," Ryan interrupted coldly. "And if anything happens to her while we're down there, I will never forgive you for sending her. Excuse me sir." With that he turned on his heel and exited, fully expecting AJ's wrath to summon him back. When none came, he looked over to Brooke, only to find her door closed, the blind drawn. AJ's chin dropped to his chest as he contemplated what was transpiring. "This is why partners do not get involved," he sighed, making a mental note to discuss the situation with all four of them when they returned. If they returned. **************** Aboard the Transport to Panama 2 Hours Later "Are you going to ignore me the whole trip?" Ryan sighed as he looked over at Brooke. "Brooke come on. Talk to me please." "You were way out of line" she snapped. "I can't believe you did that twice in one day." "Okay, maybe I was a little out of line" he started. "A little" she screeched. "You practically told the Admiral that I couldn't handle my duties. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?" "I only did it because I care about you. And I have no idea where this is going to end up." "Not good enough Ryan" she retorted. "I care about you but there's no way I would have done that to you in front of the Admiral. You had no right to do that." "All right. I'm sorry. Look you got to go anyway. And I'm sure when we get back the Admiral is going to reprimand me for my behavior. So will you please just talk to me." "Give me one good reason why I should?" "Brooke come on" he pleaded. "I'm sorry. How many times do I have to say it?" "Promise me that you'll never do that again and I'll consider forgiving you." "I can't make that promise," Ryan said quietly. "Brooke, I care about you a lot." "We have nothing further to talk about Major" Brooke said tersely. **************** With one eye on Mac and another on Rollins, Harm navigated the plane in the direction Rollins had ordered. He didn't like the direction they were heading; knowing Rollins was most likely taking them to one of Perez's hideouts. "Mac, how you holding up?" he called as he turned to look at her. Rollins had allowed him to bandage the wound to stop the bleeding once they were in the air but Harm knew she needed medical attention. "She's fine Commander" Rollins smirked. "Just keep your eyes forward or she won't be." "Harm, I'm okay," Mac said weakly. "See nothing for you to worry about" Rollins said as he walked towards the cockpit. Mac watched him carefully waiting for the chance to make a move. She knew he was planning on taking them to Perez and she wasn't going to let that happen if she could help it. With his back to her, she slowly raised herself from her seat and prepared to make her move. He suddenly whirled around just as she raised her arm to him. He grabbed it before she could connect and gave her a hard shove to the floor, her cry of pain sending a chill through Harm. "Mac" Harm yelled. He flipped on the autopilot switch and barreled out of the pilot's seat, reaching Rollins just after he leveled a blow to Mac. She whimpered in pain and Harm seethed in anger. "Let her go" Harm shouted as he pulled Rollins off Mac. He gave the smaller man a hard shove and he landed in the cockpit. "You bastard. I told you to leave her alone." He leapt onto of the man, his hands going around his neck. Rollins arms flailed as he attempted to pull Harm off of him. So intent was Harm on killing the man who'd hurt Mac that he didn’t notice Rollins hand reach the fuel cut off switch, sending the plane into a dive. "Harm" Mac screamed as the plane began it's rapid descent. "Harm" At once Harm let go of Rollins and frantically tried to pull the plane from its dive. "Harm" Mac wailed as she struggled to get to the front of the plane with him. "No stay back" he yelled as he realized there was no way he was going to save the plane. He hurried towards her, managing to reach her and cover her just as the plane crashed through the treetops of the jungle. The last thing he remembered was her screaming his name before a blinding flash of pain and then darkness. The End Watch for the next chapter of New Beginnings coming soon.