TITLE: "Phantasm" Chapter 2 [of 4] AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: On assignment to a Naval Station undergoing security breeches, Harm and Mac attempt to adjust to a newly achieved next level in their relationship while keeping their cover personas in tact. NOTE: Story was written before the events of Fortunate Son, Second Acts, Ice Queen etc. Singer, Sergei, Lindsey, NCIS etc are not a factor. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/A/R [Harm-Mac] PG for language and mild violence. SPOILERS: In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. FEEDBACK: If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for. Addy is ssbpmn@aol.com. Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into writing it. NOTE: All parts of this story, as well as the majority of our other works, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please simply click through any notice of adult content you may see-there are no R nor NC17 stories there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} Much of our work is also featured at Http://www.capitalcitycollaborations.com ******************** Next Morning Major Grimes' Office "Great" Jason sighed. "This is all I need. Another breach while the JAG officer is still here investigating the last one. And this time we know we have missing supplies." "This all happened last night?" Mac asked as she read the incident report. Somehow she wasn't surprised to see that Holly had been on duty at the time. "Yes. Lt. Underwood is supposed to be here by now to explain what the hell is going on around here. And I'm going to have his head if this doesn't get resolved." "Has Commander Manetti been in yet?" Mac asked. "Oh yeah. She was here bright and early. She's out talking to Blake and the new guy. Apparently Blake was on duty when this all happened." "This is the third time this has happened hasn't it?" "Yeah and Commander Rhodes is all over my six about this. Like I have any control over what's going on at night. And where the hell is Lt. Underwood?" "Would you like me to get him?" Mac asked. "No. I'm going to go see for myself what the hell is going on. Why don't you join me?" Mac nodded and a short time later she and Jason walked into the security office. Her eyes immediately went to Harm and she could tell from the tired look on his face that he'd been there since he'd left her place. He gave her a bare nod, acknowledging her concern. "You OK?" she mouthed and he nodded again. "OK Sergeant what's happened here?" Grimes demanded. "Sir with respect, the JAG officer asked that I not speak to anyone until I give her my statement." "You were on duty last night Sergeant?" "Yes sir I was. I was on call with Sgt. Blake. She called me in about 2300 sir. Lt. Underwood had contacted her. They were a team short and we were assigned to this area." "And. . ." "Sir, respectfully," Harm said firmly. "I've been ordered to speak to Lt. Cdr. Manetti first." "You do that," Jason growled. "Meanwhile I'm going to call that kid Underwood again and get his sorry six in here." He strode off and Harm gave a long sigh of both relief and frustration, taking a few steps toward Mac. "You look bad Sergeant," she whispered. "Been a long night. I'm too old to not sleep like this. I was wishing for a go pill." "No you need to get to bed." "My plans for the afternoon for sure. What are you doing during that time?" "Working Flyboy and that's not the kind of resting you need." "No we need to find out what's. . ." he began, interrupted by the door to a small office opening and Holly coming out. "Hey you OK?" Harm called at once, and Mac's heart lurched involuntarily as he went at once to her side, and it lurched even further when he took hold of her arm, guiding her to a nearby chair. "She thinks I'm responsible somehow." "No. No I refuse to accept that," Harm screeched and when Tracy appeared a moment later he shot her a long hard look. "You are not going to lay blame for this at her feet." "Excuse me Sergeant?" Tracy's mild rebuke did its job and Harm remembered his role and place. "My apologies Commander," he gulped. "I'm sorry. It's just that to think Holly. . .Master Sergeant Blake. . .bears any culpability is ludicrous." "Why don't you come in and we'll talk about that," Tracy invited and then looked to Holly. "Sergeant that's all. Just keep yourself available. This is not over." Her eyes met Mac's and she called softly, "give me a minute Lieutenant and then come in. I want to speak to you." "Yes ma'am," Mac nodded, still focused on Harm's tender concern of the younger woman. "Lieutenant would you please tell the Commander that I'm going to take Sergeant Blake home. She's had more than enough for one night." "I can do that Sergeant," Mac nodded, still focused on the man she loved, paying attention to a stranger. Her head understood; and yet her heart did not. She remembered what they had talked about earlier--his getting close to her and despite her best intention to the contrary, it did hurt. She watched them walk away before heading into the office where Tracy was waiting. "Very interesting around here" Tracy sighed once Mac had closed the door. "You getting any feel for who is behind this?" "I don't know. I know Blake was here the last time this happened. Course that doesn't make her guilty." "What about Grimes?" Tracy asked. "He doesn't seem that bad" Mac said slowly. "I'm not sure he's got anything to do with." "Did he take you out again last night?" "No actually he didn't" Mac frowned suddenly. "He said he other plans. I didn't ask what they were of course. But now that you mention it, that's sort of a coincidence isn't it?" "You tell me" Tracy sighed. "And the fact that Blake has been here both times has me wondering too. I'm going to do a little searching into her background and see what I can find out." "Harm is going to try and get closer to her. In fact he's taking her home and then he'll be back to talk to you." "I'm hoping he can tell me something. This time we are missing several crates of weapons that were delivered earlier today." "Who might have known about the delivery?" Mac asked. "Good question. Can you do some digging and find out if someone in the security office has connections to the procurement department?" "I'll see what I can find out" Mac nodded. "And I'll go feel out Major Grimes and see if I can find out what he might have been up to last night." "All right. I'll keep at it from this end." Mac nodded and headed back across the base to her office. "Everyone doing what they're supposed to?" Grimes sighed. "And talking to the JAG officer like good little boys and girls?" "I think so. Did you find Lt. Underwood?" "Yes and chewed out his six. What the hell was I thinking when I put him in charge?" "I'm sure you thought he could handle the responsibility" Mac answered. "But maybe he can't." "You know I really like having you around" Jason said with a small smile. "Thanks. I was just about to beat myself up about this and you reminded me it's not all my fault. I selected him cause I thought he was up for the challenge. Maybe I was wrong." "I don't think so. I think you're a good judge of people. Maybe it's Lt. Underwood who's made the wrong choices of people." "You mean Sergeant Blake?" "Well she was on duty during both incidents" Mac reminded him. "Where is she now?" Jason frowned. "I want to speak to her myself and find out what she has to say." "Sergeant Reeves was taking her home when I left." "I'll get her tomorrow then" he sighed. "And now I have to go talk to Commander Rhodes and give her some explanation as to what the hell is going on around here. Which I'd be happy to do if I had some clue." ************** "Tom you didn't have to do this" Holly Blake sighed as Harm pulled into her apartment complex. "But thank you." "No problem" Harm said with a flash of his Flyboy smile. "You didn't look like you could maneuver a tricycle let alone a car." "I'm wiped out," she admitted. "And you don't look like you're too far behind." "I'll manage. I'll get you inside and then I'll head back to the base and give the JAG officer my story and then I'll crash for a few hours." He held his hand for her as she climbed out of the car and she accepted it with a grateful smile. "Thank you again for this" she sighed once she was inside. "No problem. You sure you're going to be okay?" "Nothing a long hot bath and a good cry won't fix" Holly said with a small smile. "And you didn't hear me just say that." "Holly it's going to be okay" Harm said gently. "What if they decide I'm guilty" she whispered. "And they try and court martial me? I'll lose everything." "Not necessarily," he chided her. "They have no proof that you're involved or even to blame for the break in. Right now it would be hard for them to even trump up D-O-D." He held his breath as he heard the common legal term come from his mouth; fortunately she was too tired and distraught to notice. "Come on I'll walk you up." "What if they do bring charges," she persisted once they got to her door. "How do I fight something like that?" "You ask for JAG representation," he said firmly. "And most JAG officers will go to the mat for their client, especially their innocent client." "Somehow that does make me feel better. I'd ask you in but you have stuff to do, and you do need to rest." "Thanks yeah I have to shove off. You take it easy, and try not to let all this stuff play too hard on you. I'm going to get squared away." He pushed the door open for her, and when she started inside, took hold of her arm and put a light kiss at the corner of her mouth. "Have dinner with me. This will look better by then and I'd really like for you to." "Uh. . .can you give me some time and call me later? I don't know if I'll feel up to eating. I surely wouldn't be good company in any case." "Sure. I'll call you later this afternoon, but meanwhile you get some rest and I'll do the same." "Thanks Tom. You're already a good friend." With that she slipped through the door and Harm leaned against it for a long minute. He did not want this woman to be guilty. Another time, another place, no Mac and they might have. . . Mac was still in with Tracy when he returned to Base Security and she gave him a sympathetic glance. "You do look like hell Sailor." "Good. At least my looks match how I feel," he returned and dropped heavily into a chair. "I don't want Holly to have had anything to do with this," he added quietly, resting his head in his hands. "Commander are you becoming involved with this woman?" Tracy's words hit him hard between the eyes and he looked at her sharply, feeling Mac's eyes on him as she awaited his answer. "I think she's good people," he replied carefully. "And yeah I could be attracted to her. Could be. Not am. There's someone else holding my heart and if I wasn't so tired I probably wouldn't be sounding like a Hallmark card." Mac blushed slightly and the corners of Tracy's mouth turned up. To whom he was referring she had no doubt. "OK right now Colonel you need to take the Commander to bed. And please don't make me explain what that does and does not entail. Just get out of here." Neither Harm nor Mac spoke on the drive back to the base housing and not until they were inside Harm's apartment did he turn to her. "I'm sorry Mac." "For?" she asked, fearing the reply. "For being a problem," he replied sheepishly. "I just honestly don't want Holly to be guilty of anything." "OK I can buy that," she nodded. "Long as you're not trying to tell me you wish you and she. . ." "No. No I don't," he said quickly. "Honest I don't. She's a sweet person, and yes attractive, and in different circumstance. . .well I won't deny that I might could be tempted." "That she's enlisted and you're not being the different circumstance." "Yes, but that's only a minor one. The real obstacle to her and me. . .the real reason why it couldn't ever come about, is that I'm hopelessly in love with someone else. Someone I've just gotten into my life for good I hope. Someone I'd sooner die than let go of." She sniffled back a small sob at his heartfelt words and wrapped her arms around his middle. "I think you were right before. You must be tired to talk like this." "Well you heard what Cdr. Manetti told you to do," he smiled. "Why don't we start by getting me out of this shirt which has cemented itself to my body." "Harm you need to rest" she sighed. "You're exhausted." "Not too exhausted for you" he smiled. "Please. It was bad enough we got interrupted last night." "That did suck" she whispered as she started to unbutton his shirt. "And there won't be interruptions today" he whispered as he started to unbutton her blouse. There were no more words as his lips found hers while their hands quickly worked to remove their articles of clothing. He lifted her into his arms as they finished undressing and carried her to his bedroom. Afterwards she lay in his arms, listening to the sound of his breathing. As much as she wanted to stay she knew she had to leave. She needed to leave before anyone noticed how long she'd been there. She'd taken a big risk as it was by staying this long. "I love you" she whispered as she dropped a gentle kiss on his lips. "Take care sailor." **************** "Morning Jason" Mac smiled when he walked into the office the next morning. "At least you didn't say good morning" Jason Grimes sighed. "Because it's anything but." "Something else wrong?" Mac asked. "Nothing except Commander Rhodes is all over my six and I swear Lt. Underwood is the most incompetent man I've had serving under me." "Anything I can do to help?" "No" Jason said with a long sigh. "And I'm sorry if I'm taking this out on you. It's sure as hell not your fault." "And clues on who might be behind this yet?" "No. And that JAG lawyer hasn't come up with anything yet either. Which means she'll be hanging around longer bugging me. I just don't understand what the hell is going on around here. And of course Commander Rhodes is putting all the heat on me." "Sounds like maybe we should figure out what's going on ourselves" Mac suggested. "Seeing as how the JAG hasn't figured it out." "I'm all up for any ideas you have." "Well maybe if we go back and reconstruct the two nights in question in terms of personnel maybe we can find a link" Mac continued. "And start there." "Well we have a link. Sergeant Blake. But that doesn't mean she's behind it." "No. But it could be a starting point." "You don't like her do you?" Jason asked as he looked at Mac. "I didn't say that" Mac said quickly. She didn't want Jason to think she had it in for Holly Blake. And she really didn't. Except that she didn't want Harm involved with her. "Come on. We've been up front with each other so far. Tell me what you think." "Jason I'm not thinking anything." "But you don't like her" he smiled. "I'm sure she's good at what she does," Mac said lamely. "But I just don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about her." "Do you get a warm and fuzzy feeling about me?" Jason smiled. "Of course" Mac smiled. "You've been so kind to me since I got here. Since Danny died, it's been a struggle to get through each day. But since I've been here, well it's been different." "Good. Then I bet I can persuade you to have dinner with me tonight." "You probably could" Mac smiled. "Good. Now tell me what other ideas you have for getting Commander Rhodes off my six." "Well you know what they say about it being lonely at the top and the buck stopping and so forth," she smiled again. "And you've been around long enough to know she's getting heat and she's passing it to you. I mean what are you doing to Lt. Underwood if not that." "I'm going to kill the SOB for one thing," he sighed in frustration. "Except that you don't know that he's to blame. You know what too, if I can offer a bit of unsolicited advice sir. You might want to back off of him and give him a little space. Or rope. He just may find the culprit, or he may hang himself. Right now he knows you're watching his every move. Just like Commander Rhodes is you." "I guess," he muttered. "I just know I can kiss goodbye being invited to stay in, never mind a promotion, if I don't get this stopped. Now about dinner tonight? Somewhere off post, down on the coast please. I'm feeling a real need to get away, and I know places that have seafood you'd kill for." Mac hesitated, her mind on Harm, and then her thoughts went to Holly and Harm. Much as she wanted to spend the evening with just him, she knew he would be staying close to Holly to look for a break in the case. ================= MAC'S ROOM Midnight "You sleeping? Are you even there?" Harm called as loud as he dared, followed by a gentle knock. "Hold on Sailor," she returned, sliding from the bed to admit him. "Hi." "Hi yourself. I was afraid you were with Grimes." The words came from him before he could stop and he added a quick if not sheepish smile. "Well it was on my mind." "OK mine too--you and Holly," she admitted, sharing his sheepishness. "I wouldn't go that far." "Well you don't think I would do you?" she demanded. "No of course not. Sorry. I'm just not liking this case one little bit. May I whine?" "You've been doing that for years without permission. By all means but let me get comfortable. This place is cold, and my toes are turning to ice cubes." At once he guided her back to bed, urging her to lie down while he took a place beside her. "Whine away." "Holly and I had an interesting talk after dinner tonight. At one time there was another E8 here named Grodin. About a year ago. And he and Holly were seeing each other and god I hate that I'm telling you this. Hate that I'm breaking her confidence." Mac put a hand on his arm and squeezed hard. "Hey you don't have to." "Yeah I do," he said miserably. "Because it may be the break we need." "Then I'm all ears Sailor." "There was a break-in then and a guard was hurt. Grodin was on duty that night and his partner reported that he'd fallen asleep. Grodin swore it was a lie and up until that time he'd never been in any difficulty. Spotless record. I wish I could say mine was. Anyway, the deal he was offered was a general discharge or face confinement for dereliction in which a man was injured." "So he opted out," she nodded. "Yeah but he never got over it. He stayed on around here and worked odd jobs like fast food and construction so he could stay near Holly, but she broke it off a few months later. Said he was getting strange. Drinking heavily. Starting to scare her." "Let me guess. He's back in the area." "Yeah. Holly saw him two weeks ago in a bar downtown." "I'll get this information to Tracy" Mac nodded. "In the meantime do you think you can find out any more about this Grodin?" "I'll see if Holly mentions him again. But it's possible he's behind this." "Harm how on earth could he be behind this?" Mac frowned. "He doesn't have access to the base anymore." "Maybe he does. Maybe he still has friends here." "Good point. I'll see what I can dig up about Grodin. Maybe Jason has a file on him." "Be careful. Please." "You too. If this Grodin and Holly were involved and he finds out you and her are suddenly friendly he might cause trouble." "I will. And I guess I'd better go before someone notices me." "You're not staying?" she pouted. "Would you like me too?" he grinned. "I would hope you didn't come over here in the middle of the night just to talk about the case." "That is why we're here isn't it?" "I know. But that doesn't mean we can't have a little of our own time does it?" "I guess not" he smiled. "But I can't stay long. I'm on duty in a few hours." "This rotating shift is no fun" she sighed. "How do you keep up with it?" "It's not easy that's for sure. Especially when you're not used to it. But they like having different people on at different times. To avoid the stuff that's been going on." "Since we're under the clock here how about we save the small talk for later" Mac teased and at once Harm reached for her and led her back to the bedroom. *************** O'Sullivan and Son's Seafood Co Three Days Later "Tom you didn't have to do this" Holly sighed as she sat back in her chair. "But I'm glad you did. I really didn't feel like cooking." "Well neither did I" Harm smiled. "And seeing as how we both had the night off I thought we might as well try this again. It wasn't so bad last time was it?" "No it wasn't" Holly smiled as well. "You're very easy to like Thomas Reed. I still can't believe no one has snagged you up yet." "Just haven't met the right someone yet I guess" he shrugged. "What about you? You've got a lot to offer Ms. Blake." "Well after Scott I decided to take a break" she said softly. "Scott?" Harm frowned. "Grodin. You know the jerk I told you about last time. The one who I wish I'd never set eyes on." "Oh yeah that's right. The one who's out of the Marines now." "But still hanging around and still haunting my life. I swear sometimes the only way he's ever going to be out of my life is for me to leave here." "As he been in contact with you?" Harm asked. "Not yet. But I'm sure it's just a matter of time. He wasn't happy when I broke it off." "Holly this guy could be real trouble." "I know. Trust me I know. When I saw him a few weeks ago it really freaked me cause he is so strange. And then with all the trouble going on at the base it's like everything is just coming down on me at once." "Hey Holly" a voice called from across the restaurant and Holly slowly turned around. "That your new boyfriend?" "Oh god it's him" Holly whispered. "Scott. I thought he was following me and he is. We have to leave. He's going to cause a scene. I just know it." "Easy" Harm urged. "Let me handle this." "Holly honey" Scott Grodin smiled as he walked over to their table. "Who's the new guy?" "Master Sergeant Thomas Reed," Harm said firmly, keeping his voice level as he regarded the large man before him. Harmon Rabb was no lightweight in the size department but this man outweighed him by a good twenty pounds and had at least two inches in height that he did not have. "Holly does go through them doesn't she," Grodin sneered. "But then Holly when you've had the best isn't it hard to settle?" Holly rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Scott you and I. . .are you following me?" "No baby I'm not. Not that that wouldn't be a bad thing. You're pretty easy on the eyes. I'm just here with Joy over there. She and me are hanging out this week. Face it, there's just not that much to do in this little area so we're bound to run into each other now that I'm back." "You were gone? I don't guess I noticed." "Yeah I got into a little trouble over in Havelock and they had me in the Workhouse for four months. No big deal. I can do that kind of time standing on my head. Three hots and a cot, got paid for working the road gang--well like I said, no big deal. I'm back now and my PO--nice looking lady by the way--has me working at Mike's Salvage." "Is there a point anywhere in our future," Harm interrupted. "Yeah there is." Grodin leveled a look that would kill at Harm. "I'm back and I'm going after what's mine." A visible chill passed through Holly and Harm put his hand on her arm. "You do whatever you want," Harm told him firmly. "Whatever you want as long as it doesn't involve making unwanted advances to this woman." "Mine." "No not any more. She's moved on. So should you." "Is that an order Sergeant." "It's a friendly piece of advice from a man who won't allow her to be hurt by you." "Yeah." Grodin was about to say more when he heard his name being called and looked around. "Probably your date wondering why you're with us and not her," Harm pointed out. "Yeah OK I'm going," he grunted and as he walked away, flung over his shoulder, "Holly I'll call you." "Don't bother," she yelled as loud as she could manage before sinking back into her chair. "Tom I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you a part of my problem." "There is no problem," Harm retorted. "You and Moron there broke up. He's going to leave you alone." "Thank you Big Brother," she smiled and took a long sip of her drink. "He's changed so much Tom. When we were together he was quiet and sweet and caring. Then the whole dereliction thing came up, he was forced out and started drinking. He's a mean drunk and then the next day he's hungover and craving liquor both. So he's still mean." "He's not going to bother you. Or if he does, he's going to wish he was still in the Workhouse." "Thank you. But I don't want you dragged into my mess." "Holly I care about you" Harm said softly. "And right now you look like you can use some who cares." "I do" she sniffled. "Everything in my life suddenly seems like such a mess." "Hey it's not that bad. This thing at the base will blow over and maybe Grodin will leave town." "I wish I could believe that" she whispered. "But thank you for saying it." "Come on let's get out of here" Harm said as he suddenly stood up and reached for her hand. "You're never going to relax with him here anyway." "What about dinner?" "I'll whip up something at my place" he smiled. An hour later Holly watched with a smile as Harm strained the spaghetti he'd made. "I am so impressed. Very few men I've met can cook. Even Marines." "I love to cook but don't tell anyone" he smiled as he put the bowl of spaghetti on the table. "Of course it's much more fun cooking for two instead of one." "Can I help with anything?" she asked. "You can get the bottle of wine out of the fridge. Otherwise just make yourself comfortable." "Thank you for doing this" she said as she opened the bottle of wine. "I really appreciate it. Scott just really unnerved me tonight." "I can see why. He seems a little out there." "He wasn't like this. I remember the good days when he and I and Cliff used to hang out together. He was so different then." "Cliff?" "Sergeant Wallace. You've met him a few times I think." "Oh yeah" Harm nodded. "Skinny little guy that you'd never think was a Marine." "That's him. We're still good friends but I don't see him near as much as I used to." "Is he still good friends with Scott?" Harm asked. "He was for a while" Holly nodded. "But I don't know if he even knows Scott is back. He didn't mention it to me so I'd guess he doesn't." Harm made a mental note to mention Cliff Wallace to Mac when he saw her again. If Cliff was still friends with Scott, he might be the connection they were missing. "And we're ready to eat" Harm said as he put the sauce on the table. "Tom that was wonderful" Holly raved a short time later as she pushed her plate away. "You cook better than I do." "Well I'd be happy to cook for you anytime you want" he smiled. "Tom you're a great guy and the last thing I want to do is hurt you" she whispered. "And right now getting involved with me is not something you want to do." "Why not?" he asked. "You know why" she sighed. "Holly they have nothing on you at the base. And who doesn't have a jealous ex in their past. None of that is enough to scare me off." "It should be." "I'm a Marine" Harm said as he reached across the table for her hand. "There's not much I'm afraid of." "I'm afraid of getting you involved in my mess" she said softly. "I care about you too Tom. And I'm just afraid you're going to get hurt if we keep going in this direction." "I can handle it" Harm whispered. "I'm willing to take the risk." He stood up and gently pulled her to her feet next to him. What happened next wasn't part of his plan but suddenly he found her in his arms, his lips finding hers in a long kiss. She didn't resist him; instead she pressed herself closer to him before suddenly backing away. "Tom I can't" she whispered. "I can't hurt you like this." "Hurt me how?" he whispered. "I don't understand." "I have to go. Thank you for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow." She hurried from his place before he could stop her and with a long sigh he sank down in the kitchen chair. He'd almost gone too far tonight. At once Mac swam through his mind and he felt a twinge of guilt. Without a second thought he picked up the phone and dialed her number. "You alone?" he asked when she answered. "Harm is something wrong?" "I just need to see you. Can I come over?" "Of course you can. You don't even need to ask. I'll put some coffee on." "Thanks. I'll be right there." Twenty minutes later he was at her door. "You look like it was a rough night," she said softly, taking his arm and pulling him inside. He offered no resistance as she set him in a chair and pressed a coffee mug into his hand. "I'm attracted to Holly," he whispered after a long sip of the hot liquid. She bit her lower lip and did not reply, waiting for him to go on. "And we kissed and we might have. . .but she stopped and I'll be forever grateful to her for that and I think you shouldn't be with me." The words fell from his lips and he did not try to slow them or even to have them make sense, so much did he want to unburden himself. "So she called a halt?" Mac asked quietly, walking away several feet away from him. "It was her who stopped?" "Yeah it was," he admitted miserably. "I'd like to think it would have been me real quick but she did it first and I don't know what to say beyond that except that I didn't want any secrets between us so I had to tell you. Kill me now." "Harm you and I haven't really made a commitment," she said slowly, not turning around. "And let's face it, this case is making both of us crazy. I'm trying to play to Jason for information just as you're with Holly." "This didn't have much to do with information," he sighed and the coffee cup in his hand trembled as he got shakily to his feet, walking toward her. At once she read his distress and took the cup from him, then caught him in her arms, bringing his head down to her shoulder with gentle pressure to the back of his neck. "I don't deserve you," he whispered. "And I have something else I need to say so let me get through it please." She nodded, her cheek moving against his. "I love you, and I did make a commitment to you with those words the first time I said them. And I will say them again. Now and any time. Hell I'll stand up in the middle of staff call and say them." "Uh. . .you might want to re-think that," she said softly into his ear. "Come on. You're so tired you can't stand let alone think clearly. Time for bed." "Yeah. I'll get out of your hair." He raised his head, his tone one of defeat. "No." "No?" "Let me rephrase that. No way in hell. You don't need to be alone. Strip out of those clothes and get into that bed. Move it all the way over and make room for me." "Mac you don't have to. . .and I'm too tired to. . ." "I know. This is for sleeping only," she returned. "Go. I'll be right in." When she came from the bathroom his eyes were closed but as soon as she hit the bed, he opened them half way and reached his arms for her. With only a few seconds hesitation she rolled against him, letting him tuck her body to his. "Don't want Holly. Want you," he murmured. "I know. I want you too. I love you Harm." "Probably better for you if you didn't." "Probably but that's not what my heart tells me. Sleep Sailor. You're not getting up early are you?" "No. Second shift tomorrow." "Good. Then I expect you to get some good sleep. Good night." "Night. Love you." His voice was rapidly fading. "I love you too Sailor." Sometime during the night they reached out to each other, and managed to demonstrate that love before falling back to sleep. At 7AM she pulled from his grasp to ready herself for work and once she was dressed she sat on the edge of the bed, pressing her hand gently to his cheek. "I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." His eyes opened slowly, groaning with the pain of a wake up headache and he squinted to focus. "Diane? Diane thank god." For a moment she didn't move. This wasn't the first time he'd thought she was Diane. And from the look on his face she knew it hadn't registered right away what he'd said. "Harm I'm not Diane" she said slowly. "I'm Mac. You're partner. Remember." He looked at her again and finally it clicked. "Of course you're not Diane. I don't know why I thought that. I guess it was because I had another dream about her last night. And then you in that uniform just threw me for a minute." "Harm I'm getting worried about you. I don't know if it's this undercover thing or you working these crazy shifts but you're not yourself. This isn't the first time you've thought I was Diane. And what really worries me is you didn't even realize it was me right away. You really thought I was Diane." "Only because I'd been dreaming about her all night" he countered. "I swear Mac it's like all of a sudden she's haunting me. I keep having all these crazy dreams about her. Course it's probably just the stress of everything that's going on with Holly and this case and me being a jerk last night." "Okay calm sailor" she soothed. "You're getting all worked up again. You have nothing to worry about with me. I love you and nothing is going to change that. And I know that lying to Holly is getting to you as is this entire investigation." "I wish we could figure out what was going on" he sighed. "We will. But if this is too much for you" "No" he interrupted. "I can handle it. I'm not leaving you alone on this base. Not when we still haven't figured out whose behind this. Though I have a few more ideas and if I hadn't been so wrapped up in what happened last night I would have remembered to tell you." "Tell me what?" "Another person we need to look into. He was friends with Holly and her ex. Name's Sergeant Cliff Wallace." "You know him?" "I've worked a few shifts with him" Harm nodded. "Real quiet kid. It's possible he's still in contact with Grodin." "I'll see what I can find out about him. In the meantime sailor, you get some more rest. I'll catch up with you when I can." "Mac I'm sorry about last night" he whispered as he reached for her hand. "You are the only woman I'll ever love. I hope you know that." "I do," she said softly. "Get some sleep. I'll talk to you soon." She leaned down and dropped a quick kiss on his lips before hurrying out. With a sigh he leaned back against the pillows, wondering how on earth he could keep thinking she was Diane. "You're losing it Rabb" he groaned as he punched the pillow. ************** Holly was on duty with him that afternoon and it was with a long sigh that he made his way into the security office. He wasn't sure how she was going to react to him after last night. "Hi Tom" she said quietly. "Holly I think we need to talk." "It's okay. I'm not mad at you about last night. Can we just leave it at that?" "Of course" he nodded. "But can I at least say I'm sorry." "You don't have to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. And if the circumstances were different, I probably wouldn't have pushed you away." "You want to explain to me what that means?" "It doesn't mean anything," she said with a small smile. "You're a good man Tom Reed. And I'm not at all upset about last night." "So we're still friends?" he asked with a flash of his Flyboy smile. "Of course" she smiled. "Now let's see if we can have a quiet afternoon here today." The next two days passed uneventfully. Harm and Mac saw each other when they could and tried to put the case out of their minds when they were together. A routine background inquiry on Sgt. Wallace had brought nothing useful to light so far and for the time being the case seemed dead-ended. It was a late evening and they were sharing pizza and now a movie at his apartment. Harm had worked first shift and he was almost dozing in the chair when there was a loud knock at the door. "Harm it's Holly. Please it's urgent." Mac and Harm both froze, looking from one to the other to the box of pizza crusts and the two movie rental cases. A first grader would know they had been sharing a social evening. "We are so busted," he mouthed, looking around helplessly. "You'll have to deal," she mouthed back and fled to the bedroom. "Holly just a sec. Let me get decent," he called and with a quick look to the back to see that the bedroom door was closed, let her in. At once he could see how agitated she was and he guided her to the nearest chair. "You want something to drink?" he asked anxiously. "Obviously something's wrong." "You were busy and I interrupted," she whispered, pushing aside his question for the moment. "You've got company?" "I'm watching a couple movies and gorging on pizza," he replied carefully. "Not alone." "And what gives you that idea?" "Because that's the remains of a Tony's special. Best pizza in the area. In fact it was me who turned you on to them, but that's an extra large. One single person has never finished an extra large without help. In the history of Tony's." "Uh OK yeah I did have someone sharing," he admitted. "She's uh. . .gone to bed waiting for me. Look, are you here investigating me or wanting to tell me something." "I was using the observation to get a few moments to collect my thoughts and get my breath. Honestly Harm it's not my business who you're with. It's probably complicated. A word I hate." "You couldn't begin to know," he groaned. "Holly why are you here?" "What were we doing at 1330 this afternoon?" He looked at her blankly for a moment and then smiled slowly. "I didn't know we were going to play a game. OK we were over in D sector. Warehouse. Standing guard while they loaded in box after box of god knows what because they were unmarked." "Shoulder mounted missile launchers." Harm gave a low whistle. "You know this how?" "Because a really scared kid came to me an hour ago. This boy should be home worrying about mid term exams and not in the middle of this mess. Anyway, his name is Nathaniel Beauchamp and he works for in Cliff Wallace's shop. But it seems Cliff does some non-Marine moonlighting for--care to take a guess?" "Would the initials be SG," he groaned. "Scott Grodin. Corporal Beauchamp it seems was screwing off instead of working earlier today and he came back to their shop to finish his detail before Cliff could find out. So Cliff didn't know he was there when he met Scott there later. Long story short--Harm we don't have much time. They're going after the shipment tonight." "And you've reported this to Lt. Underwood and Major Grimes right?" She shook her head negatively. "Two reasons. I'm not sure of trusting them. I know that sounds bad but I'm just not. I mean Scott doesn't seem bright enough to be pulling this off without more help. And secondly, if there's a team in waiting, they're going to smell it and back off. On the other hand, catching them in the act seals their fate. A little digital night vision camcorder footage and we move in for the kill." He drew a long breath while he thought about the possibilities. "You don't seem to mind trusting me," he said softly. "Some people I can read. You for one. I trust you totally," she replied. "Holly I need to tell you something" Harm said quietly. "Something I'm not sure you're going to like but it's the truth. I'm not Master Sergeant Thomas Reeves. I'm Commander Harmon Rabb from the JAG Corp." "You're what?" she gasped. "You lied to me?" "I've been working undercover. Trying to figure out who's been behind these thefts. And I'm not working alone. Mac come on out. It's all right." Holly's eyes widened even more as Mac emerged from the bedroom. "Hi Holly. I'm Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, Harm's partner." "But you work for Major Grimes." "I'm undercover as well. Commander Rhodes wasn't sure who she could trust either. So Harm was assigned to Underwood and I was assigned to Grimes. And I'm interested in why you didn't want to tell either of them about what you found out." "Ma'am I don't know how to explain it but I just don't trust either of them." "Mac didn't you say Grimes suddenly canceled his plans with you tonight?" Harm asked. "Yes he did" Mac said slowly. "And now that you mention it the night of the last theft he said he'd been busy." "He could be behind this" Harm nodded. "I'm not sure Underwood is smart enough to be but Grimes sure may be. Course the only way we're going to find out is to go there tonight and see what happens." "Without telling anyone else?" Mac asked. "I think its the only way" Harm sighed. "We don't know who else we can trust." As he said the words, Mac's eyes drifted to Holly. "Ma'am this is not a setup" Holly said quietly. "I promise you that. I had no idea you and Tom. . .I mean the Commander were JAG officers. Honest. And I promise you I would never do anything to hurt him." "That I want to believe" Mac said quietly as she stared at the young woman. "Mac I trust her. She won't set us up." "All right" Mac nodded. "So what's our plan then?" "First I think we should contact Manetti" Harm replied. "The more we have on our side the better. I think a call to Commander Rhodes to get an NCIS team on backup might not be a bad idea either. And of course we need to get some equipment. And then we'll just go and wait and see what happens." "Why don't you get changed first and then we'll run by my place" Mac nodded. Harm nodded and hurried to his bedroom to change. "You better not be leading us astray Sergeant" Mac said quietly. "Because if anything happens to my partner, you're going to have to answer to me." "You don't like me ma'am do you?" Holly sighed. "And I'm guessing it's because you and the Commander are involved aren't you?" "It's not that I dislike you Sergeant. I just don't know you enough to trust you. And when it comes to my partner's safety, I have good reason to question you." "I don't blame you" Holly said with a small smile. "If I were with him, I'd be pretty protective of him too. He's a great guy. At least the person I got to know was. I don't know if Commander Rabb is the same at Master Sergeant Reeves or not." "He is the same person." "Did he care about me then?" Holly asked. "Or was that part of the act?" "It wasn't an act. Harm was genuinely concerned about you. He didn't want to see you hurt." "Did you know he kissed me?" "He told me" Mac shrugged. "We have no secrets from each other." "I'm ready" Harm said as he emerged a moment later. "Is everything okay out here?" "Yeah it's fine" Mac said with a small smile. "We were just talking." "I'm not sure I want to know about what so I won't even go there. Right now we've got more important things to worry about." "Just female talk," Holly smiled. "We seem to have a lot in common. You." Harm shook his head, looking extremely uncomfortable. "Holly if I ever gave you the impression that you and I were or could ever be. . ." She waved her hand to cut him off. "Just some wishful thinking on my part is all. Don't trouble yourself Commander. I just wish I knew why all the good guys are taken before I get to them." "You have a lot to offer a man," Harm told her seriously. "Just has to be the right one that's all. And we've got a job to do. Are we ready?" It took the better part of the next two hours to set up, with Tracy running operations from her office with the assistance of Commander Rhodes. Grimes and Underwood had purposely been left out of the loop. In the last few minutes before they would take their places, Mac gave Holly a long look from several feet away. Harm saw her concern and distress and flattened his hand against her back, pressing firmly. "She's OK." "I hope so because we're risking a lot on that feeling." "Mac is it just because of her and me?" She turned to look at him, her eyes troubled. "I honestly don't know. But I do hope so. I hope so because if it's more than that we could be in a world of hurt here, career and otherwise." "I know. It's going to be OK." He gave her a quick kiss on her temple and then rested his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. "Listen to me. You be God awful careful. I need you Sarah. More than that, I love you." "I was just about to say the same exact thing to you," she whispered. "I do not believe how bad the timing of all this has been but when we get back. . ." "When we get back I plan to make up for seven years of having my head where the sun don't shine when it comes to you," he interrupted. "Start thinking about dresses and rings and dates." Those words stunned her into silence for a long moment and when she spoke she was reduced to stammering in her surprise. "Harm you're not. . .are you. . ." "Serious? You bet your six I am. And there's Holly's signal. Let's do this. With any luck in a couple of hours it will be over and we'll be slaving over the reports and then on our way home." "If there is a God," she breathed and mouthed, "I love you." Reluctantly they moved apart, setting the trap that Holly had suggested with the approval of Tracy and Commander Rhodes. Harm and Holly would go in first, with Mac following a minute later. As soon as the crime was committed, a signal to Tracy would send in the team to do the wrap. At least that was the plan. A plan that went to hell, with a lot of help from Master Sergeant Holly Blake. Mac's hunch had been right. Harm had misplaced his trust and the woman was dangerous, if not deadly. In a few short minutes the warehouse was turned into a hellhole of bullets and flame. At the first shot, Mac went with her gut about Holly and grabbed her radio, knowing if she was wrong she would hear about it later, but better that than there be a massacre. "Tracy. Tracy it's blown. It's a set up. We need help. Now," she screamed before charging in to find Holly and Harm. She ducked behind a large crate just as Holly looked in her direction. "Over there" Holly ordered and a moment later Jason Grimes stepped out. "Get her. Before the others get here. The NCIS team wasn't far behind." "Come on Colonel" Jason said as he moved towards where she'd hidden. "You can't hide in here forever. We'll get you just like we got your partner. You JAG officers thought you were so smart. Now lets see who's the smart ones." "Dear Lord please let him be okay" Mac murmured before ducking behind another large crate. She had to find Harm. She had to make sure he was okay. "Colonel we're going to find you. This little game won't last long." ********************** Chapter 3 will post beginning Wed 25 Jun 03